EKUSH TAPADAR from Dubai

At the toss ahead of the Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, a rare scene unfolded. For the first time on a cricket field, the two captains spoke to two different commentators -- naturally, each one from their own country.

Before the match, only Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha joined the trophy photoshoot amidst a highly charged atmosphere which could be noticed in all three India-Pakistan contests in the ongoing edition of the tournament. Yet what was happening off the field was the opposite of the tense scenes inside the stadium. It was a mix of excitement, friendship, and even affection among the fans.

Former Indian star Ravi Shastri and former Pakistani pacer Waqar Younis came down by elevator to conduct the toss. They were seen in a warm and cordial mood, even though they were about to oversee a moment symbolic of division.

Among the fans, there was the same desperation for their own team’s victory, but whenever they saw former stars of the rival team, they rushed to take photos and videos on their mobile phones.

In the stands, an Indian fan in his team’s jersey and a Pakistani woman in hers were chatting happily as they entered together. They said their friendship goes back many years, and they are not much interested in political disputes. They had simply come to watch cricket.

For the first time in the 41-year history of the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan met in the final. It was their third encounter in the tournament, with India winning the previous two in one-sided fashion.

On September 14, after their first meeting, India left the field without shaking hands in a gesture of protest, and Pakistan responded by boycotting the presentation ceremony as well as two consecutive press conferences.

In the September 21 rematch, Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan scored a fifty and celebrated with a rifle-pointing gesture, which was deemed inappropriate. Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf was also seen making offensive gestures. India’s Suryakumar Yadav showed his aggression in the press conference. While the Asian Cricket Council remained silent, the ICC issued them warnings.

The tension on the field, spurred by politics and off-field chaos, expectedly carried on till the last day of the tournament. But what could be a sign of relief is that it has, somewhat, still yet to spill over to the gallery -- at least that was the case in Dubai on Sunday.