Boria Majumdar in Dubai
I am writing this copy with India on 100-3 at the end of 10 overs against Oman. Frankly, the entire press box while watching the match isn’t really focused on it. Yes, Sanju Samson is a draw and his innings was greeted with some applause in the press box. But the real topic of discussion is the game on Sunday and if Pakistan can be competitive. The fact that Suryakumar Yadav did not come out to bat even at No. 8 was evidence that India were doing all to give each of their batters some game time. It is all about Sunday and the game that matters.
For the Pakistanis, it can’t be easy. Their board has done everything possible to ensure that the players don’t really focus on the task at hand, which is to play cricket. First, they were told Pakistan wouldn’t continue. They were asked to deboard the bus and go back to their hotel rooms. Then, they were asked to go to the stadium an hour late and play. In the middle of all of it, Salman Agha had been called in for a meeting with match referee Andy Pycroft and half-truths were peddled about what was actually said in that meeting.
Let’s make one thing very clear. It is not a game of cricket on Sunday. The stakes are three times higher than a week earlier, with all that has happened in the interim. Pakistan did not expect the India captain to outdo them off the field and were caught unprepared. They will want a chance to retaliate and it all depends on how their team plays. If India win, and they are indeed a better team, then nothing will happen. There will surely be no handshakes and Pakistan know it by now that they are unwelcome. I don’t think they will try and go to the Indian dressing room and try and make a case. Rather, it will be in their own interests to just let things be and protect their own dignity.
If Pakistan win, things could just go off the boil. In wanting to retaliate, one just hopes that things don’t get pushed beyond the rails and a new crisis of unmanageable proportions erupts. If you listen to the whispers, and one can’t write things always, chances are things could go off one’s rocker.
India will know it. They will know it isn’t a game that they are playing. They will know that they will now have to stand up to the stand they have taken and it is essential to give their absolute best in the first Super-4 game.
In sum, the Asia cup drama isn’t over yet. Rather, it can start in earnest on Sunday and there could be a lot that will happen without anyone really anticipating the flow of things. An Indian win could mean cricket takes centre stage and all things stay in sync. Time for Surya and his boys to play some quality cricket and do what they have done well in recent times — winning against Pakistan.
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