The high-voltage Asia Cup match on Sunday comes just four months after a military conflict between the two neighbours \u2014 their most serious standoff since the 1999 Kargil war. The conflict followed a terrorist attack on the Indian tourist site of Pahalgam in April, which killed 26 people.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Amidst calls for a boycott of the match, the Indian government cleared it under its new policy, which allows participation against Pakistan in multinational tournaments but not bilateral series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Fans must show a big heart,\" Akmal, who played in several iconic India-Pakistan contests, including the 2011 World Cup semifinal in Mohali, was quoted as saying by Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) that the atmosphere is tense and requires careful handling.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThese are tough times in India-Pakistan relations,\u201d Kamran told www.telecomasia.net. \u201cIt will be tense, and that is why there is fear. But I think it will get better only if the game goes well.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Recalling the United Arab Emirates as a neutral venue where fans from both sides often mingled, Akmal appealed for restraint: \u201cFans should show a big heart and come together to enjoy the full match. It should be an atmosphere like in the past. I request fans not to cross the line, whether they are from Pakistan or India. They must make the match successful so that Indo-Pak matches continue,\u201d said Akmal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked about on-field aggression and respect, Akmal acknowledged that aggression has always been part of Indo-Pak matches but warned that players must not cross the line. \u201cAggression is the beauty of an India-Pakistan match. How to take that aggression is the key. Respect should be there. Players will have to remember cricket is a gentleman\u2019s game. If they keep that in mind, I am sure Sunday\u2019s match will go untroubled.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the report, he cited a recent example of a verbal clash between players. \u201cThere was an \u2018A\u2019 team match in Oman last year where Sufiyan Muqeem and Abhishek Sharma had a verbal clash. Aggression will always be there, but it should be controlled.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Clearing the air with Gambhir, Akmal also reflected on his famous on-field confrontation with India\u2019s current head coach Gautam Gambhir during the 2010 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. \u201cIt was a misunderstanding. Gautam is a very good person. We had toured Kenya together for an \u2018A\u2019 team event and became good friends. In that Asia Cup match, I appealed when he missed a shot. He was talking to himself about the miss, but I thought he said something to me. That\u2019s how the misunderstanding happened.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the report, he cited a recent example of a verbal clash between players. \u201cThere was an \u2018A\u2019 team match in Oman last year where Sufiyan Muqeem and Abhishek Sharma had a verbal clash. Aggression will always be there, but it should be controlled.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBoth teams will be tense, but like in the past, it will ease out once the game begins. If they play good cricket, differences will get less. I am sure a full house will enjoy the game.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n