By Agencies

Copyright dawn

DUBAI: Rival captains Salman Ali Agha and Suryakumar Yadav will not tell their team-mates to temper aggression when Pakistan and India clash in a geopolitically-charged Asia Cup contest in Dubai on Sunday, the countries’ first match since their conflict in May.

The encounter in the eight-team Twenty20 international tournament comes after India and Pakistan exchanged deadly cross-border military action earlier this year. The two countries stepped back from all-out war but bitterness remains on both sides.

The neighbours only play each other in cricket in international tournaments on neutral ground as part of a compromise deal.

While players from both sides have shared cordial relations over the years despite geopolitical realities, both the captains were asked if they would instruct their players to dial down their aggression considering the larger context.

Salman said he found it unnecessary to try and curb a player’s natural aggression as long as it did not spill over the game’s confines.

“You don’t need to say anything to any player because every individual is different,” Salman said at the captains’ pre-tournament media interaction on Tuesday. “If someone wants to be aggressive in the field, they are more than welcome to do that.

“When it comes to fast bowlers, they are always aggressive and you can’t stop them because that’s what keeps them going. So from my side, there is no instruction to anyone as long as it stays in the ground.”

India and Pakistan last met in cricket, again in Dubai, in Feb-ruary in the 50-over Champions Trophy, with India winning and going on to lift the title.

Skipper Suryakumar agreed with his Pakistan counterpart.

“Aggression [is] always there when we take the field,” a relaxed-looking Suryakumar said. “Without [some degree of] aggression, I don’t think you can play the sport. I’m really excited to take the field on the front foot.”

The captains’ press conference and the trophy unveiling ceremony was followed by a question and answer session. The emcee requested the media to ask only apolitical questions.

In fact, Suryakumar and Salman weren’t even seated together as Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan took the place between them.

India are eight-time Asia Cup champions and the reigning holders. They and Pakistan, champions twice, are placed in Group ‘A’ alongside hosts United Arab Emirates and Oman.

India open their campaign against the UAE on Wednesday while Pakistan play Oman on Friday, both in Dubai.

While reigning 20-overs world champions India are the firm favourites to retain their title, Pakistan are on a high having beaten Afghanistan in the final of a tri-series, also involving hosts United Arab Emirates, on Sunday.

For Salman, the challenge is to prove that the team has moved beyond Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan — the two senior players who were dropped.

“We are playing very good cricket,” said Salman. “I think for almost four months, we have won three series out of four. So we are doing very well as a team and at the same time, we are very excited. A lot of the boys will play Asia Cup for the first time but they are ready for the challenge.”

India have not played T20 Internationals since the home series against England in February but Suryakumar would not call his team undercooked.

“Well, if your preparations are great then you are certainly confident when you take the field,” he said. “Yes, we are playing after quite a while but we came here three-four days back and we had a good time as a team together. Really looking forward to this tournament.”

RASHID SLAMS SCHEDULING

Away from the India-Pakistan focus, Afghanistan skipper Rashid pointed out the logistical challenge of travel and scheduling.

He didn’t mince words while criticising the “not so ideal” arrangements as he had to attend the mandatory captains’ press meet in Dubai on a day when his team was set to take on Hong Kong in a Group B clash — the tournament opener — at Abu Dhabi in the evening.

Furthermore, Afghanistan would be based in Dubai and travel nearly two hours to Abu Dhabi on match days.

“Well, I don’t think it’s ideal – that’s what we were discussing [with the other captains] before as well,” Rashid, the highest wicket-taker in T20I history, said. “To play in Abu Dhabi and stay here in Dubai for all three games…it’s different. But as professional cricketers, we have to accept these things.”

After Wednesday, Afghanis-tan’s other two group ‘B’ games are scheduled on September 16 and 18 against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka respectively.

But Rashid also said that as a professional, he has to forget the scheduling and focus on the game.

“Once you enter the ground, you tend to forget everything else. In other countries, we often fly two-three hours and go straight to the game. I remember flying from Bangladesh to the US once and playing straightaway.”

Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka was also critical of the scheduling which has left very little time for his team to relax and recuperate after a gruelling away series against Zimbabwe.

“Right now, I’m feeling very sleepy. I should answer it tomorrow I think,” Asalanka said when he was asked about playing so many games with virtually no turnaround time.

“No, I mean it’s really hard to play back-to-back games in Zimbabwe on September 6 and 7. And then travel here [Dubai] straightaway. I think actually we need to have a couple of days off. I hope the coach will give us.

“It’s important to take care of our fitness. And we all know that it’s really hot out there. And for me, it’s really important to keep fresh and give 100 per cent in the first game,” Asalanka said.

Sri Lanka will open their campaign against Bangladesh on Saturday.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2025