India, Pakistan make no special preparations for each other

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam interacts with the media at Kandy yesterday. Pic/AFP

On the eve of the big-ticket clash with India in the Asia Cup, Pakistan captain Babar Azam said that as the two neighbours do not play often, whenever they come up against each other, the excitement is palpable, which he said is understandable.

"It is an intense and highly emotional situation whenever India and Pakistan play. Since we play each other only in multi-nation tournaments, which is not very often, the fans are super excited and passions run high not only among the spectators but cricket lovers from both countries worldwide as well.

"Though we don't play [each other] regularly, we take India as one of the teams in the championship, be it the Asia Cup or World Cup. We do not make any special preparations while getting ready to face India. We take them as one of the teams we are up against," the Pakistan captain said. "That does not mean we do not respect them. We have high regards for the Indian team and both have mutual respect for the players on either side' he added.

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Indian captain Rohit Sharma also was asked about playing Pakistan. He said: "While we don't play that often we treat them as one of the opponents. Our game-plan, preparation, and approach remain the same. Yes, they play very well as a unit and are the top ODI team, but we focus on our game and our approach remains the same."

Though the teams on either side take it as just another game of cricket between two nations, the organisers and broadcasters realise the importance of the Indo-Pak matches, which have been very rare in the last decade. They want to make the most of the euphoria and patriotism this clash generates. Thus, whenever the Asia Cup is played, the format is made friendly for both India and Pakistan. This time too. The third team in their group are Nepal, who are playing their first major tournament. To make it to the Super 4s, both India and Pakistan have to get past the minnows, ensuring a smooth passage into the League stage of four teams.

Thus, the draw ensures that India and Pakistan get to play each other at least twice, once in the group stage and then in Super 4s. And if luck favours the two, it could lead to a mouthwatering final between the rivals. Thus, in a total of 13 matches in a six-team tournament, the most sought-after matchup will happen at least twice, and if things work out well, possibly a third time too. Call it quirk or fate, there has never been an India-Pakistan final in the Asia Cup in the 15 editions played since 1984. Babar said there's always a first time. "Nothing like having an Indo-Pak final this time," he said.

The last Asia Cup, played in T20 format in the UAE last year, had the same format, where the third team in the Indo-Pak group were another minnow - Hong Kong. And though Pakistan lost to India in the group stage, their easy win over Hong Kong ensured that both India and Pakistan made it to the Super 4s. In the Super4s, India lost to both Pakistan and Sri Lanka and hence were deprived of a place in the final. Sri Lanka went on to defeat Pakistan in the final and win the Asia Cup in the T20 format.

One thing that is blatantly clear is that the Group clash between India and Pakistan has no bearing on which team will advance to the final. The team that win the Super 4s clash, is more likely to advance to the title round. So, today's group match between India and Pakistan here is more of a dress rehearsal for the much more important clash between them in Colombo on September 10.And hopefully, we will finally witness an India-Pakistan final which will be the cherry on the cake.