Tensions easing as Pakistan and India meet up for the Asia Cup following the controversies surrounding their last handshake incident.
India and Pakistan Clash Again in the Asia Cup
The Asia Cup, a prestigious cricket tournament in Asia, is set to witness another intense encounter between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan. The two nations will lock horns on Sunday, with India aiming to retain the crown they won in the last 50-over edition.
The Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, has been in fine form, having qualified from Group A. The same group saw Pakistan, captained by Salman Ali Agha, also advance to the next stage.
The rivalry between India and Pakistan in cricket is one of the fiercest, and the upcoming match promises to be no different. The last meeting between the two teams was on September 14, with India emerging victorious by seven wickets. However, the handshake row that ensued after the match has caused a stir.
India refused to shake hands with Pakistan after the match, angering Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the issue, and the PCB also demanded that match referee Andy Pycroft be removed from their matches, threatening to withdraw from the Asia Cup.
Kuldeep Yadav, the Indian spinner, has since sought to defuse the controversy, stating that the team's decision not to shake hands was not personal but a political statement.
The conflict between the two countries was triggered by an April attack on civilians in Pahalgam in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing the attack, a claim Islamabad denies. The recent conflict between the two countries in May was their worst since 1999, leaving more than 70 people dead in missile, drone, and artillery exchanges.
Despite the political tensions, India has resisted calls to boycott the first Pakistan match in the Asia Cup. The Asia Cup serves as a build-up towards the T20 World Cup in February-March in India and Sri Lanka, and a potential third India-Pakistan showdown looms if both sides qualify for the final on September 28 in Dubai.
Meanwhile, in Group B, Sri Lanka, unbeaten so far, look dangerous while Bangladesh carry the underdog tag under skipper Litton Das. Pakistan beat the United Arab Emirates to qualify for the next stage, the Super Fours, and will play India again in Dubai.
As the Asia Cup progresses, the stage is set for another thrilling encounter between India and Pakistan, a rivalry that continues to captivate cricket fans worldwide.
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