OASIS IN THE DESERT

An India-Pakistan Match Is A Rare Occurrence These Days, Which Explains The Buzz

- Arani Basu

On Saturday evening, the searing heat here relented as a mild breeze swept across the ICC academy when India and Pakistan had turned up for training on the eve of their first Asia Cup match.

This is the match the Asia Cricket Council (ACC) is banking on to generate heat and revenue. Every second cab driver is talking about this marquee fixture. The buzz is unmistakable.

India-Pakistan fixtures have always drawn big investments. In the past decade, the rivalry has become more intense, because the two teams meet only in multi-nation tournaments these days. That's the reason the organisers have ensured they will meet at least twice in the tournament here-thrice if they both qualify for the final on September 11.

In essence, the authorities have turned the continental event into the now-elusive bilateral series even as the two countries are forever trying to bring about a thaw in their diplomatic relations. The administrators, even at ICC, have tried to create opportunities to pit these two against each other at marquee tournaments. And they have succeeded in doing so post-2013. It is argued that the draws are largely dominated by the urge to boost the game's financial environment.