DUBAI (Kashmir English): It’s Pakistan vs India today as both nations will face off in a high-voltage game of the Asia Cup here today.
The cricket match between the nuclear-armed neighbours is being played after both nations engaged in a four-day military conflict earlier this year and emotions will run even higher in Sunday’s Asia Cup clash.
Even before the skirmishes in May, which nearly escalated into a full-blown war, cricket ties between the two nations had been suspended. The arch-rivals now play each other only in multi-nation tournaments.
Pakistan vs India thriller
Political relations have deteriorated further since the clashes, with several former Indian cricket players urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to boycott what will be the first meeting between the teams since the recent tensions.
Though the threat of a boycott is over, sparks may fly with India captain Suryakumar Yadav and his Pakistan counterpart Salman Agha ruling out dialing down aggression in the much-anticipated Group A game.
India are favourites to retain their Asia Cup title. They appear by far the strongest side in the eight-nation tournament, having reinforced itself with the selection of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and top order batter Shubman Gill.
Pakistan, without former skippers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, opened their account with an easy victory against Oman but will take heart from winning a T20 tri-series in the UAE, also involving Afghanistan, before heading into the Asia Cup.
