Dubai: Virat Kohli’s absence might have taken some sheen off it but the general excitement surrounding three possible Indo-Pak encounters will be the USP of the six-nation Asia Cup starting Saturday with a Bangladesh-Sri Lanka clash here.
While there are two assured India-Pakistan matches, one in the group league and other at the Super Four stage, the organisers, broadcasters, and the supporters will be hoping for a possible summit showdown September 28 too.
For India, it will be a chance to see how the team reacts to pressure situations in the absence of Kohli, who has been rested after a gruelling England tour, which ended with a 1-4 Test series loss earlier this week.
The team will begin its campaign September 18 against Hong Kong, followed by the much-anticipated clash against Pakistan the next day.
Rohit Sharma’s leadership skills haven’t been tested against a quality side. He led against Sri Lanka last December but it was a below par opposition. In fact, Bangladesh, with its resources, is a better 50-over side currently.
But the focal point would be how India play a quality Pakistan side that has a world class fast bowler in Mohammed Aamir, a solid all-rounder in Hasan Ali, a prolific opener in Fakhar Zaman and talented batsmen such as Babar Azam and Harris Sohail.
India’s main aim would be to settle their middle-order combination and also find a perfect batting position for MS Dhoni during the course of the tournament, keeping the forthcoming 2019 World Cup in mind.
Besides the top four – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – Afghanistan and Hong Kong are the two other teams.