India, Sept. 27 -- Handshakes snubbed, press conferences cancelled, threats to exit the tournament made and rescinded, players pulled up and fined for making inappropriate gestures and statements - never has an India-Pakistan match had a build-up this long and edgy as we go into Sunday's Asia Cup final in Dubai.

On the face of it, India have no reason to worry as it's a rematch after two comprehensive drubbings for Pakistan. But tournament finals find a way to be influenced by nerves, and Pakistan may be wondering if the third time would finally bring them luck.

It is in this backdrop of plots and subplots are India and Pakistan squaring up for the final, a first in the tournament's 41-year history. Pakistan would like to believe they a...