Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai

Dubai, Sep 27: Winning isn’t everything, but for 11 Indian cricketers it’s the only goal when they face arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup final here on Sunday, a contest where cricket once again intertwines with politics and raw emotion.

The tournament’s biggest flashpoint began with India’s “No Handshake Policy” in the opener, followed by fiery exchanges between skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf, earning both players ICC fines and setting a tense tone. Pakistan’s Interior Minister and cricket chief Mohsin Naqvi further fanned the flames with cryptic posts on X.

On the field, India arrive unbeaten after six straight wins, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s explosive batting and Kuldeep Yadav’s 13 wickets. Yet injury concerns linger—Hardik Pandya’s hamstring and Abhishek’s cramps remain talking points—while India’s middle order has yet to prove its mettle if Abhishek falls early.

Pakistan’s batting, meanwhile, has been fragile, relying heavily on quick bursts from Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf to unsettle India’s top order. Batsman Sahibzada Farhan stands out as a lone bright spot in an otherwise misfiring lineup.

As both sides brace for the high-voltage clash, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel summed it up best: “Winning it ugly is still winning.” In a fixture where pedigree counts for little, only victory will matter when the two rivals collide under the Dubai lights.