Is Asia Cup only about the India-Pakistan clash?

By K.R. Nayar
From Dubai International Stadium

So much is the hype for the India-Pakistan match that one gets the feeling whether the Asia Cup is only about this match.  Tickets for the match on September 14 are in huge demand than for any other match. Most journalists are also arriving only in time for this match, even skipping India’s opening match against UAE on September 10.

Links to Gulf News coverage of my story: https://gulfnews.com/sport/asia-cup/is-asia-cup-only-about-the-india-pakistan-clash-1.500262660 

Links to Rediff coverage of my story: https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/is-asia-cup-only-about-india-pakistan-game/20250909.htm 

All the Asia Cup 2025 captains line up at the Dubai International Stadium 

A question from Shahid Hashmi, a veteran Pakistan journalist on whether there are any instructions to not display any aggression on the field following the tension between the two nations, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav said: “Aggression (is) always there on field and you can't do without aggression if you want to win.” Responding to that Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha said, "If someone wants to be aggressive that is his call. From my side, I don't give anyone any instructions.”

The Asia Cup was unveiled by Moshin Naqvi, President of Asian Cricket Council 

So it is clear that match referee will have to make sure that players don’t cross the line being too aggressive. What is interesting is that some  reporters have already written r that tempers will flare up during the match though both captains did not specifically say they will be aggressive to each other.

Sleepy but alert Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka 

A sleepy Sri Lankan skipper

Except for that question and a response to the India-Pakistan aggression, the captain’s pre-tournament press conference was held in a friendly mood. Yadav and Afghanistan skipper were seen talking and laughing with each other. Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka had landed in Dubai only a few hours before the press conference from Zimbabwe after a series there. He candidly admitted that he was sleepy. His team had played two ODIs and three T20Is in Zimbabwe. In fact, their last game had ended only on Sunday. “Playing back to back matches from Zimbabwe to now is hard. I wish I had a couple of days off. The conditions are tough too here, and it will be hot. I am sleepy right now.” However he managed to give an alert response saying: “We are well prepared and want to hit the ground running.”

Rashid Khan... before the long drive 

Press conference in Dubai, match in  Abu Dhabi

When Rashid Khan was asked how it was to be at a press conference after a two hour drive to Abu Dhabi and just few hours before his first match against Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi, he candidly said: “I don't think it's ideal to play a game in Abu Dhabi and stay in Dubai. But as a cricketer, you have to accept it. In other countries you travel three-four hours. You have to be mentally prepared and that is about being professional.  Once I flew to the  US and played a match soon after landing there. For us, it’s important to keep giving 100% and dong the best we can and leaving everything else to the side.”

Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav speaks with a smile 

The jovial Indian skipper

Responding to a query from this reporter to Suryakumar Yadav on how it was to play a host country, which is not a an unknown team like the UAE that had given a tough time to Pakistan and Afghanistan in a three match series, Yadav said: “They (UAE) are playing an exciting brand. They  played a tournament recently,  they came close… I hope they do [cross the line] in the Asia Cup. We are excited to play them. We have got few practice sessions. it feels good. It's a good challenge playing the best teams in this Asia Cup.'

UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem stands tall amidst top captains

UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem, responding to how it feels like to play India in their first match, said: “We have played good cricket recently. We have worked hard. We will try to play our best cricket on that day, be it Pakistan or India.”

Will Sanju Samson play ?

With Sanju Samson being the favourite player of the massive number of  Keralities living in the UAE, Yadav had to answer to a query on whether Samson will have a place in the playing eleven. He responded in Hindi with smile and concluded in English saying: “Aapko main playing XI message karta hoon. (I will message you the playing XI). We are taking good care of him. Don’t worry, we will make the right decision tomorrow.” 

Suryakumar Yadav speaks with a mix of Hindi and English 

To another question on being favourties too, Yadav began in Hindi and concluded in English with a smile. ““Kisne bola? Maine to nahi suna (Who said that? I have not heard anything). We are playing T20s after a long time. But we are well prepared.”