Arshad Nadeem on his friendship with Neeraj Chopra: “We are not competitors; we are a part of the Javelin family.”

Indo-Pak rivalry have been becoming closer since since they competed in the South Asian Games in Guwahati in 2016.

Arshad Nadeem, a javelin thrower from Pakistan, says he would miss competing against Neeraj Chopra, an Olympic winner from India, at the Commonwealth Games because they are “one” family.

With a throw of 88.13 metres, Neeraj earned a historic silver medal at the World Championships last month, while Arshad placed fifth despite becoming the first Pakistani to reach the finals.

The Indian withdrew from the CWG owing to a groyne problem, while Arshad, who is still recovering from an elbow ailment, is anticipated to be on the podium alongside Anderson Peters of Grenada, who is the gold medal favourite. At a recent Worlds, Peters took home the gold. “My brother is Neeraj bhai. Here, I miss him. May God grant him good health so I can soon compete against him,

Indo-Pak rivalry have been becoming closer since since they competed in the South Asian Games in Guwahati in 2016.

When Neeraj won the gold and Arshad took home the bronze at the Asian Games four years ago, the Indian had yet to fully warm up to the Pakistani athlete, but that is no longer the case. He is a decent man. At first, you can be a little reserved. You usually become more open when you get to know someone.