Published on, Sept. 17 -- September 17, 2025 3:29 AM

For Pakistan, cricket has always been more than a pastime. That is why the Asia Cup encounter in Dubai left such a bitter aftertaste. The real disappointment was that cricket itself became a sideshow, swallowed by political theatre and recast as another chapter in an over-militarised rivalry.

India won clinically, chasing Pakistan's 127 for nine in just 15.3 overs with seven wickets to spare. Yet the post-match flashpoint made sure the cricket was not the story. India refused the customary handshakes, and their captain dedicated the victory to the armed forces and victims of a terror attack; gestures designed to harden narratives rather than soften them. That may play well to hawkish ...