The captains of both India and Pakistan have said they will not instruct their players to temper their aggression in the Asia Cup.
Cricket’s biggest fixture will return to the UAE on Sunday when the sides meet at Dubai International Stadium.
While India-Pakistan games are always intense, this time it has the backdrop of strained political relations since the incident in April when gunmen killed 26 people in contested Kashmir.
India accused Pakistan of supporting “cross-border terrorism” following the incident.
India have since announced a new sports policy whereby its teams will not be allowed to engage in bilateral sports events with Pakistan, but can face them in international tournaments.
Even then, players have faced pressure to boycott matches involving the two sides. Earlier in the summer, the India team at a privately-run, all-star veterans’ tournament in the UK opted out of their fixture against Pakistan.
This Asia Cup was due to be played in India, but it appeared certain to be cancelled until an agreement was reached to stage it on neutral territory in the UAE.
The two sides could now potentially meet three times. They are guaranteed to play on Sunday, in the opening round. It is possible they could also meet in the Super Six, and the final.
Despite the tension surrounding the game, Suryakumar Yadav, India’s captain, is urging his team to play with their usual fire.
“Aggression is always there when we take the field,” Yadav said. “Without aggression, I don’t think you can play this sport.
“I am very excited to take the field from tomorrow [when India start their campaign against the UAE in Dubai.]”
India, the defending champions, start the tournament as favourites but Pakistan have also arrived full of optimism.
Their spirits were buoyed by Sunday night’s thrashing of Afghanistan in Sharjah, in the final of a tri-series which also involved the UAE.
Salman Agha, the Pakistan captain, echoed his Indian counterpart's view, saying he will not try to harness his players.
“You don’t need to say anything to any players,” Agha said. “Individually, everyone is very different. If they want to be aggressive on the field, they are more than welcome to do that.
“When it comes to fast-bowlers, they are always aggressive. You can’t just stop that. That is what keeps them going.
“Whoever wants to be aggressive on the field, they are more than welcome to. From my side, there is no instruction to anyone – as long as it stays on the ground.”
India will meet UAE in the Asia Cup on Wednesday, for the first time since 2016, which was the last time the national team qualified for the tournament.
The landscape of UAE cricket was far different back then. Players in the national team were only just enjoying the benefits of central contracts for the first time.
Now, all the players are used to the expectations of professionalism. For the past three years, many of them have also seen how elite international pros go about their business, after playing alongside them in the DP World International League T20.
Muhammad Waseem, the captain, says those sort of experiences are helping cut the gap between the UAE and India, as well as the continent’s other leading sides.
“We have been playing in ILT20 with big name [players], and when you are in the dressing room your are learning from the best,” Waseem said.
“Yes, we are learning from them. Also, we have been doing preparation for the past couple of months to play in such a great event. I am very confident we are ready to take up this challenge.”
