India, Sept. 12 -- It's time for another India vs Pakistan clash, yet the mood surrounding it feels far from festive. The nation is still haunted by the cowardly and tragic events that unfolded in Pahalgam just five months ago, and in times as grim as these, cricket naturally takes a back seat. And rightly so. Still, the pressures of broadcasters, cricket boards, and other influential bodies have ensured that, despite public anger, widespread outrage, and even the cancellation of two Indo-Pak fixtures at the World Championship of Legends, the Asia Cup 2025 will once again stage the mother of all battles, in the hope of reigniting a rivalry that once stood as the fiercest in world cricket.

However, given the circumstances, Sunday's antici...