Dubai: It’s taken 41 years and 17 editions, but the first India vs Pakistan final in an Asia Cup is finally here. Touted as a three-match bilateral series within the larger contours of a continental tournament, the organisers’ fervent prayers have been answered with a third successive Sunday confrontation, this time for the symbol of ultimate supremacy in Asian cricket.

This T20 Asia Cup has been anything but a straightforward cricketing spectacle. The tragedy of April 22 has grabbed centrestage with India refusing to even look their Pakistani counterparts in the eye, let alone shake hands or exchange pleasantries.

Pakistan haven’t taken to the perceived slight kindly, using bitter words and provocative gestures as well as an untenable boycott threat to make their point.

There’s been an

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