Associates warm up the Asia Cup

Even before the big clashes begin, the Asia Cup depends on its associate teams to set the stage. They may not dominate headlines, but their presence shapes the early rhythm of the tournament.

On the day before facing Pakistan, Oman captain Jatinder Singh's official press conference room was empty. He arrived on time on Thursday, sat waiting, and only after two journalists showed up did the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) media manager manage to save face. Similarly, Hong Kong captain Yasim Murtaza, after losing to Bangladesh, personally greeted the journalists while completing the formalities. For these teams, simply participating in the Asia Cup remains a reward in itself.

Yet the expectations behind including Oman, Hong Kong, and hosts UAE in the tournament have largely gone unmet. Their one-sided performances in the first four matches so far have failed to generate excitement, making the early stages of the competition's 17th edition feel rather subdued.

Beyond the tournament, opportunities for these sides are limited. Murtaza admitted as much before leaving Abu Dhabi for their latest fixture: "We play against associate member countries. Even then, we get a tournament only every few months. Honestly, I don't know when I'll play next."

Oman, Hong Kong, and UAE lack the cushion of a dedicated fan base and deep player pools as many of their cricketers are migrants from India and Pakistan, often former mainstream players.

"As an associate member, we don't get the same opportunities as the Test-playing nations. You saw the difference on the field yourself."

In contrast, Nepal -- absent from this edition after losing to UAE in last year's ACC Premier Cup -- have a sizeable following. A significant Nepali expatriate community in Abu Dhabi, many employed in Indian restaurants, discussed the tournament's coverage. One remarked, "If Nepal were in the tournament, we would have gone to watch the games."

Their absence is self-inflicted, but had Nepal been here, organisers would likely have benefited from genuine fan engagement and a spike in TV ratings.

At this juncture, it feels as though the real tournament only began with Bangladesh-Sri Lanka on Saturday before Sunday's much-anticipated India-Pakistan match.

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Thus, the ACC has a window of opportunity to recover. The marquee affair between India and Pakistan promises full stands and global attention. With the two nations having faced a border conflict just months ago, off-field tension is palpable, feeding nationalism into the cricket spectacle.

At the opening ceremony on September 9, captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha exchanged polite greetings but remained distant. The cold professionalism mirrored wider political realities, though ordinary fans are less affected. On the way from Zayed Cricket Stadium, Pakistani taxi driver Zahid Khan Zaman asked a journalist, "Has Virat Kohli retired? Why isn't he here?"

As he drove, he said he was deeply disappointed to hear Kohli wasn't playing here. At the end of the day, politics may shape headlines, but fandom is personal.

For the ACC, however, these political and commercial undercurrents are more important than the early, uneventful associate fixtures. Oman, Hong Kong, and UAE may not deliver edge-of-the-seat contests, but the buildup to marquee matches ensures that the Asia Cup's overall intended financial and viewer objectives remain intact.