The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has implemented what has been described as a ‘invisible boycott’ policy for its matches against Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup in the UAE. India and Pakistan will face off in the continental competition’s final on Sunday, September 28, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
According to rumours, the BCCI will continue its opaque boycott policy, with no board members there to watch the summit battle in the 17th edition of the Asia Cup.
This boycott approach was first considered ahead of India’s Group A game with Pakistan. Instead of cancelling the match entirely due to the increasing hostility between the two countries, the BCCI chose to keep top officials away from cameras.
India has faced Pakistan twice in the Asia Cup. In Group A, the Men in Blue defeated Salman Agha’s men by seven wickets. Both teams faced again in the Super Fours, and India won by six wickets.
Suryakumar Yadav has not scored too many runs in the tournament, but he has led the young Indian side brilliantly. Abhishek Sharma has been the star performer for India, scoring three half-centuries in six games. With the ball, Kuldeep Yadav has been exemplary. He is the leading wicket-taker, having bagged 13 wickets in six games at an average of 9.85. Both Abhishek and Kuldeep have won two Player of the Match awards each.
Meanwhile, Pakistan made it to the Super Fours with wins against Oman and UAE. After the defeat to India in the Super-Four stage, the Men in Green had their backs against the wall. They played two must-win games against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Pakistan managed to win both matches to ensure a place in the summit clash.
Pakistan will be relying on Sahibzada Farhan in the batting department. He scored a half-century against India in the last meeting between the two sides. On the bowling front, they will bank on Shaheen Afridi, who put in a Player of the Match performance against Bangladesh in the last game.
India
