The rare instance of a sombre India vs Pakistan game which is lacking any sort of fervor and excitement in it’s build-up.
The rare instance that sees an India-Pakistan game have this less of an anticipation.
The build-up to Sunday’s round one match between India and Pakistan in Dubai has been tense. Everyone, including the participants, can sense that the atmosphere around the match is more complex than it seems.
With a rider – “sentiment back home” – and the present geopolitical atmosphere in mind, this match has consistently come up in each of the first four news conferences of the Asia Cup 2025, with the exception of the one with India bowling coach Morne Morkel.
Saying that they don’t use social media has been one of the most common answers from players or support personnel. However, given that some Indian quarters are calling for a boycott, is it really feasible to entirely lose consciousness?
In the meantime, the BCCI has merely restated the Indian government’s position on the matter: multi-nation competitions can continue as usual, but bilateral cricket is out of the question. This is true even though some people in the nation think the athletic rivalry shouldn’t continue as long as geopolitical ties are as tense as they are right now.
And like it is right now, that rage frequently finds its way into internet hate and vitriol storms. Considering all of this, players may have had to walk a tightrope in order to prepare for the tournament’s most important match.
Possibly even more so now that a handshake between Suryakumar Yadav and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and PCB chair Mohsin Naqvi during the captains’ press conference was recorded, aired, and discussed, they have had to make sure that no words or actions are exaggerated. In a similar vein, you never know how a seemingly straightforward moment might be examined later.
India vs. Pakistan is often the tournament’s main event. At the Asia Cup, the matches are still half-jokingly referred to as two-match series, possibly even three. Because of the fervour it arouses in fans, this matchup is meant to put everything else to the test. This time, though, it feels extremely different.
Since bilateral cricket has been suspended for 13 years, the few encounters at Asia Cups and ICC competitions ought should be joyous. However, it feels hollow this time because you know something has changed when you have to work to sell an India-Pakistan Sunday match in Dubai, which usually sells itself.
Cricket becomes the story when they take the pitch on Sunday, and despite everything, there is still a glimmer of optimism that the old magic and excitement will return for those four hours. If it is the case, only time will tell.