The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has followed what has been viewed as an 'invisible boycott' policy for its matches against Pakistan in the ongoing edition of the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates. India and Pakistan are to collide in the finals of the continental competition on Sunday, September 28, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
According to reports, BCCI will continue with its invisible boycott policy, as no official from the board will be at the venue to witness
the summit clash in the 17th edition of the Asia Cup.
This boycott policy was first explored ahead of the Group A clash between India and Pakistan. Instead of cancelling the match outright due to the ongoing tension between the two countries, the BCCI decided to keep top office-bearers away from cameras.
India have played two matches so far against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. The Men in Blue defeated Salman Agha's men by seven wickets in Group A. Both teams met again in the Super Fours, and this time, India emerged victorious 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.
