Winning will be the only thing on their mind when an unbeaten India take on an unpredictable Pakistan in an intense Asia Cup final here on Sunday after a high-voltage build-up.
Over the years, this contest has never lacked in adrenaline, but never before has it arrived at a volatile juncture, where cricket and off-field tension go together. Yet, beyond the clamour, Abhishek Sharma's audacious 200-plus strike rate and Kuldeep Yadav's 13 wickets on return stand out. Unfortunately, even these achievements have been overshadowed by flash-points and feuds.
On paper, India are a superior side as compared to Pakistan, who have stumbled and staggered to the finale. But as their head coach Mike Hesson wryly noted after beating Bangladesh, "The final is the only match that counts." In this fixture, pedigree counts for little.
India's own support staff also echoed the sentiment. Bowling coach Morne Morkel, dispatched for pre-match duty, admitted that aesthetics don't matter anymore, "Winning it ugly is still winning."
India's unbeaten run has been smooth, but it hasn't been injury-free. Hardik Pandya's hamstring scare against Sri Lanka forced him off after a single over, while Abhishek Sharma too cramped up under the punishing Gulf heat. "Hardik will be assessed tomorrow morning. Both he and Abhishek suffered cramps. But Abhishek is fine," Morkel said.
This comes as a relief as the Punjab left-hander has single-handedly shouldered India's batting load with 309 runs in six games. The gulf is telling with Tilak Varma's 144 the next best. Law of averages, however, looms. As Pakistan legend Wasim Akram warned, "They need to get him early."
Suryakumar himself is due a commanding knock, Shubman Gill has flattered without finishing and the likes of Sanju Samson and Tilak have only cashed in against Sri Lanka in inconsequential matches. So far, it has been Abhishek laying down platforms in the Powerplay. India's batting throughout the tournament in the back-10 hasn't been convincing and one doesn't know what the plan B is if there is a top-order collapse.
If India lean too heavily on Abhishek, Pakistan's fragility is starker. Except Sahibzada Farhan, who briefly unsettled Jasprit Bumrah, there has been no batter of substance. Saim Ayub, touted as their equivalent of Abhishek, has endured a nightmarish campaign with four ducks, almost tallying more wickets lost than runs scored at one stage. Hussain Talat and Salman Ali Agha have floundered against India's spinners. Sunday could once again be decided by Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy's guile.
Pakistan's slim hopes rest on their new-ball burst. If Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf can dismantle India's top order early, a low-scoring scrap might unfold. But as with India's over-reliance on Abhishek, Shaheen and Haris need allies, something Pakistan have sorely lacked. All said and done, Sunday's clash may well be remembered less for the niceties and more for the outcome.
Also read: Rauf, Surya fined 30 pc of match fee, Farhan warned
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