Chaos in the air, rivalry on the line

There's a widely accepted notion in cricket that Pakistan thrive only when chaos surrounds them. Stability rarely serves them well; turbulence seems to be their fuel. This Asia Cup in UAE has been no different.

After being thrashed by India in both the group stage and Super Four, with their qualification for the final hanging by a thread, Pakistan found themselves cornered by criticism and controversy -- and, as so often, they have found a way to turn that storm into momentum.

The Asian Cricket Council's (ACC) long-cherished dream has finally been realised: an India-Pakistan final. In 16 previous editions of the Asia Cup, this matchup had never happened -- until now, with commercial and sporting stakes sky-high.

On paper, skill and form suggests India call the tune; Pakistan wait for fortune's turn of the wheel.

The battle within the battle is tantalising. Abhishek Sharma, India's in-form opener, has plundered 309 runs in six matches at a blistering strike rate of over 200. Almost certain to walk away with the Player of the Tournament award, the rising star now faces star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has shaken off his early struggles and is starting to look dangerous again.

"Abhishek Sharma out first ball, then the match is ours," a group of Pakistan fans said while celebrating after securing a place in the final. So far, though, Abhishekh has dispatched Shaheen's and the innings' first ball for a boundary and a six.

"Shaheen will try to knock you over; Abhishek won't hold back," said India bowling coach Morne Morkel. "That duel alone keeps fans on the edge of their seats."

India's main concern is Hardik Pandya, who walked off with a muscle strain while bowling against Sri Lanka. The management has kept his fitness status quiet. Otherwise, the Gautam Gambhir-coached side look settled: Bumrah has rediscovered rhythm, spinners are dictating the middle overs, and contributions have trickled in from batters Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma, even if Sanju Samson's role remains unclear.

Pakistan, meanwhile, see opportunity for that one slip between cup and lip. Head coach Mike Hesson admitted the two defeats to India hurt, but insisted: "The only match that counts is the one at the end."

Yet the lead-up to the final has been strangely flat. India skipped training altogether after Friday's win over Sri Lanka, leaving Morkel to double up for both post-match and pre-match duties. Pakistan trained yesterday after a day's rest. Even the customary trophy photoshoot with both captains was quietly shelved; relations are too brittle for such gestures.

Still, the match needs no ceremony. The rivalry has already been stoked by Suryakumar Yadav, who dismissed it as "no longer a rivalry" after India's Super Four win. His words triggered Pakistan and unsettled even Indian journalists, who accused him of talking for effect while his bat has gone quiet -- just 71 runs at a modest strike rate of 107 in the eight-team tournament.

And that's the beauty of it. Cricket has a way of punishing arrogance and rewarding chaos. If Pakistan can turn Suryakumar's words against him at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the sport could yet write another improbable story.