The relationship between the two South Asian neighbors, India and Pakistan, is at rock bottom. The political tensions between the two countries are felt most strongly on the cricket field. Bilateral series between them have been suspended for almost a decade, and now in India, there are even demands that the two sides should not face each other in global tournaments.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dismissed such demands and confirmed that they will play against Pakistan in global events. On September 14, the two archrivals are scheduled to face each other in a group-stage match of the Asia Cup in Dubai. Even before the clash, the war of words has already begun.
After Pakistan announced their Asia Cup squad, the team immediately traveled to Dubai, where they have already begun training. To prepare for the tournament, the players are playing practice matches among themselves. During one such session, a video of Haris Rauf went viral. Some Pakistani fans had come to watch the practice, and one of them said to Rauf, “There will be two matches against India.” To this, Rauf replied, “We’ll beat them both times.”
However, Pakistan’s record against India in global tournaments is not very favorable. Indian netizens were quick to remind this fact after Rauf’s comments spread on social media.
Earlier this year, in the Champions Trophy group stage match in Dubai, India had comfortably defeated Pakistan in a one-day game. Before that, in last year’s T20 World Cup group stage match, Pakistan had also lost to India, failing to chase even 120 runs.
Notably, in this year’s Asia Cup, India and Pakistan are in the same group, along with Oman and the United Arab Emirates. The other group includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
