Seldom has an India vs Pakistan clash played with such a volatile backdrop, where cricket seems inseparably knotted with off-field tension, provocative gestures, and fines slapped on both camps.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said Babar Azam has been asked to improve certain aspects of his game.
Unless a player picks up an injury in training, India's team is expected to wear the same look against a Pakistan squad that are without top stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, lending it a look of youth and experience.
Matthew Sandery, head curator at the Dubai international stadium, was spotted near Gautam Gambhir and Sitanshu Kotak, but did not ask them to keep away. Incidentally, the BCCI, being the hosts, can even suggest the kind of wicket they would need for the match.
IMAGES of the Asia Cup Final played between India and Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday
Firing the first salvo ahead of high profile Asia Cup clash against arch-rivals India, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson on Thursday termed left-arm spinner Mohammed Nawaz as the "best spinner in world cricket".
Pakistan withdrew its pullout threat and showed up for a crucial Asia Cup game against the UAE in Dubai on Wednesday but not before causing a delay.
Spinners of both sides will have a significant role to play considering that Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Shah Afridi are the only specialist pacers who will be seen in action in Sunday's match.
'The Asia Cup and then the World Cup are approaching, and we need a senior batter.'
Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan urged the Pakistan team to showcase their anger and some competition on the field rather than being in controversies off the field,
This is the first-ever India vs Pakistan final across 17 editions of the Men's Asia Cup since the tournament's inception in 1984.
Pycroft's decision has not been seen by ICC as a breach of any code of conduct, but as an action he was authorised to take in his remit as a match official deputed to manage the game.
Pakistan selectors rule out T20 role for Babar, Rizwan and Afridi in near future
The seasoned Kiwi coach came under criticism from several former players such as Rashid Latif, Basit Ali, Mohsin Khan, Moin Khan, and Sikander Bakht when media reported said he had asked Babar to keep wickets in the shortest format.
Hesson wants Babar Azam and Rizwan back in T20 set up
In Mike Hesson's first assignment as Pakistan's new white-ball head coach, Hasan Ali grabbed a 5-30 and led a new-look Pakistan T20 cricket team to a thumping 37-run win over Bangladesh in the opening game of their three-match series.
Taking a dig at the controversial run-out decisions that played a big role in her team's last-ball, two-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians coach Charlotte Edwards said it was "really hard" to comprehend such calls that affect the eventual outcome of the match.
Punjab Kings parted ways with head coach Trevor Bayliss and head of cricket development Sanjay Bangar.
The Rajasthan-based franchise have been sloppy, losing their fourth match on the trot and are at the second spot with eight wins and five losses. They have a total of 16 points.
Royal Challengers Bangalore announced former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower as their head coach for IPL 2024.
After Shane Watson turned down the offer, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in contact with several foreign coaches, including Justin Langer and Gary Kirsten, to work with the national team as head coach on a long-term contract.
Varun Chakaravarthy's ability to consistently figure among the wickets for Kolkata Knight Riders drew praise from former Australian tearaway bowler Brett Lee, who said he made life difficult for Mumbai Indians batters in the rain-shortened, low-scoring IPL match at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Saturday night.
Hesson said Chahal's name came pretty late in the auction and by that time, the franchise had already bought ace Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.
RCB review contracts of Hesson, Bangar; franchise may part ways with coaches
'Another one of those for me is Ruturaj Gaikwad. He is an all-format player and should have played for India a lot more than he has but the competition is so much that he hasn't played much. '
"Bowlers were going to be a hot property," says De Villiers on Starc's historic bid
Australia's Luke Williams will take over as the head coach of the Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of the second season of the Women's Premier League.
Royal Challengers Bangalore's Vyshak Vijaykumar on Sunday said experienced campaigner Mohammed Siraj's advice helped him control his nerves in one of the most important matches of his career.
Royal Challengers Bangalore have appointed England men's Performance Director Mo Bobat as their new director of cricket following the departure of Mike Hesson.
Raising concerns over pacer Trent Boult's deal with New Zealand Cricket, former Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said his contract "will open a can of worms".
Teams can also review wide and no balls in the upcoming IPL, and Hesson said it's a welcome move.
'RCB will make decision regarding captaincy after mega auction'
RCB shared glimpses of their training session.
A well-informed source close to Shaheen said that the bowler was upset that not even once the PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi or the national selectors have spoken to him about their future plans as far as the captaincy or appointment of coaches is concerned.
Topley, if sidelined for a longer duration, will join the likes of right-handed batter Rajat Patidar and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood on the bench. While Patidar, nursing a heel injury, is set to miss at least the first half of IPL, Hazlewood is likely to miss the first seven matches.
Royal Challengers Bangalore Director of Cricket Operations Mike Hesson believes one certainly cannot teach the likes of Virat Kohli how to bat, and it is just about adding value to what the player already knows.
Sri Lankans Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera were included in the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad for the second leg of the IPL in UAE, starting next month.
Ahead of the inaugural edition of the Women's Premier League, Royal Challengers Bangalore named Ben Sawyer as head coach.
Hesson, who guided New Zealand to the final of the 2019 ODI World Cup, feels the Australian players also have more experience of playing matches at the big stage than their Kiwi counterparts.
South African stalwarts AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn still have plenty to offer at this year's Indian Premier League despite their recent lack of involvement in top-level cricket, Royal Challengers Bangalore team director Mike Hesson said.
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