Dubai, United Arab Emirates — As cricketers from India and Pakistan step into the field for the Asian Cup 2025 match on Sunday, two or more points will appear, according to cricket fans and experts.
The match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium will take place under a cloud of lingering hostility after four days of intense conflict in May.
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After an internationally mediated ceasefire, an all-out war with the two transnational nations was hampered, but the sense of bitterness remains.
“Ever since this fixture was confirmed, Indians have been very angry about this match,” Indian cricket writer Kudip Lal told Al Jazeera.
“They feel it’s not right to play this match while the overall relationship between the two countries is very tense,” he explained.
“It’s the worst time for the match between India and Pakistan.”
“Why do you play cricket in the aftermath of the war?”
Lal said Indian fans view it as a money making avenue for the Control Committee of India’s Cricket (BCCI).
Lal believes that the BCCI, widely regarded as the world’s richest and most powerful cricket committee, can “skip” matches.
“If the Indian government ceases visas to Pakistanis, diplomatic relations are halted and Pakistanis visiting India are sent back, why were cricketers asked to play this match in the aftermath of the war?” Lal asked.
He expressed his fear of repulsion in case India loses Group A fixture.
Every time India and Pakistan play, emotions get high and losses don’t work by fans on both sides of the border.
Over the past decades, players’ homes have been torched, families are threatened, and environmentally ravaged protests have been taking place on the streets.
The current political situation between India and Pakistan has been worse in decades.
I shared my past laughter and “bromance”
Despite the political impasse among nuclear-armed neighbors, the recent on-and-off-field exchange between players was pretty hilarious.
When India last played Pakistan in the Asian Cup in September 2023, two key story points were the complete domination of Pakistani bowler Virat Kohli and countless pleasant moments shared between the two teams.
The match took place in the middle of Sri Lanka’s monsoon season. There, fans cheered both teams, regardless of their loyalty, dancing their worries during countless rain delays.
Pakistani fans were seen declaring their country’s love for Kohli, and the atmosphere of celebration spilled over the pitch.
There was a memorable exchange for players who were quickly picked from the dreams of being a social media manager.
Shaheen Shah Afridi of Pakistan exchanged her aggression on the field for off-field warmth when she handed her gift to Jaspuri Bamra, India, to her newborn son. Queue millions of retweets and shares on X and Instagram.
Social media has been flooded with reels highlighting the “bromance” between Kohli and Pakistan’s all-around Shadav Khan.
However, this time, experts have not foreseen a similar public display of goodwill and familiarity.
“The friendship and warmth seen in the past will not be exhibited as anything can be blown away by avid fans in a disproportionate manner. And the smallest movement can upset the public.”
When Pakistan defeated India with 10 wickets at the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Pakistan Captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan were warmly accepted by Kohli, sharing heartfelt laughs while all three walked the pitch.
“We can’t expect a similar scene to unfold on Sunday,” Hasan said.
“The interpretation of overt encounters and optics can be very wrong, and things can explode on both sides of the border.”
Mixing cricket and politics
Hasan, who worked with cricketers and cricket officials, said the players were not willing to deal with political issues and would try to counteract the political issues.
“Sports and politics can never be separated, but athletes are not politicians and can’t expect to act like diplomats.”
Despite the intense atmosphere and tense fixtures, some fans believe this match will still be considered another India-Pakistan match.
“Politics should not be mixed with cricket, which has always helped to relieve tension, so why should it be used as a way to spread politics?” Pakistani fan Assad Khan said.
“Take a political agenda into cricket, which ruins the game and creates unnecessary stress for players.”
Khan urged fans to put aside politically and religiously motivated chants at the cricket stadium and instead enjoy the now-acclaimed Indian-Pakistan match.
Given the long-standing suspension in the bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan, their equipment is limited to multination tournaments.
Cricket fans hope that both teams will not succumb to the politically recharged atmosphere or help them brighten up their mood.
“Players should work as cricketers and fans should treat it as just another game,” Pakistani fan Ali told Al Jazeera of Dubai.
“Do cricketers have to worry about what happened at the border four months ago?” Ali
However, cricket expert Lal believes that is not the case.
“When two teams enter the field on Sunday, they can’t expect to be completely separated from the conflict. It plays in their hearts.”
A hot, humid September night in Dubai cannot be blamed simply for turning the “Ring of Fire” stadium into a cauldron.
Coming on Sunday, players and fans will be on the edge in the latest chapters of a decades-long bitter competition.
