With arch-rivals India and Pakistan set to clash on September 14 in Dubai in the Asia Cup, it will be the second time this year that the two nations will face each other in an international fixture. The last time the two cricketing nations faced each other was in this year’s Champions Trophy in Dubai, when India recorded a six-wicket win over Pakistan in a group match. Since then, the two countries have seen hostilities following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor by India. Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has urged both teams and their fans to ‘remain disciplined’ and not cross the line.
“I am sure these matches will be entertaining, just like all other Ind-Pak matches. But I hope both the players and the fans will remain disciplined and not cross the line. If Indians are patriotic and want their team to win, the same goes for Pakistani fans. India have been in better form recently and will start as favourites, but the team that handles pressure best on the day will win,” Akram told Telecom Asia Sport.
Last week, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in India came up with guidelines clarifying India’s position on the sporting relations with Pakistan. According to the guidelines, Indian teams will not visit or host Pakistan for bilateral series, but the teams can compete in multi-nation tournaments involving Pakistan. In cricket, the two countries have not competed in a bilateral series since 2012. Pakistan visited India for a two-match T20I and three-match ODI series in 2012, with the visitors drawing the T20I series 1-1 and winning the ODI series 2-1.
Since then, the two countries have only faced each other in ICC tournaments, including the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, apart from the Asia Cup. The two nations have faced each other in 15 bilateral Test series, with Pakistan’s tour to India in 2007-2008 being the last time that the two nations faced each other in a Test series. Akram also urged the two countries to resume playing a Test series. “This Asia Cup will be a feast for fans worldwide. It’s my wish that India and Pakistan also resume playing a Test series. It’s been too long, and it would be a historic spectacle for fans on both sides,” said Akram, who had taken a total of 45 wickets in 12 Tests against India during his Test career.
India to miss Ro-Ko
India will be competing in the Asia Cup under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retiring after India’s title triumph in the T20 World Cup last year, it will also be the first time that India will face Pakistan in a T20I match without Rohit or Kohli. Former Pakistan cricketer Bazid Khan had shared how India will miss the intensity of Kohli and Rohit. “Look, all these players are high-class. There isn’t anyone here you would say is not of that calibre. But the high intensity that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma brought to the game, that is something India will surely miss. Suryakumar scores runs against almost everyone but somehow against Pakistan he hasn’t been effective. Whether it is the pace attack or some other reason, it remains an issue,” Khan had told PTV Sports.
