India Vs Pakistan: Four key battles to watch out 

India kicked off their start to the tournament with a hard-fought victory against the minnows Hong Kong. There are some positives and negatives from the game; perhaps this encounter was an eye-opener for the skipper Rohit Sharma and the Indian team. With few hours left to the most coveted match of the tournament, India vs Pakistan, it is time to start over the discussions for the clash of Asian giants. Though the skippers Rohit and Sarfaraz mentioned it to be just like other matches, the intensity of the match is quite a high profile one. Over 1.5 billion people will remain glued to their TV screen supporting their nations from the core of their heart.

The India-Pak rivalry has been one of the biggest contest in the course of the game. Since India and Pakistan no longer play any bilateral series, the battle becomes much more spine-chilling.

Both the teams have played 11 matches against each other in Asia Cup and have managed to grab five wins each, so it will be quite interesting to see which side gets the upper hand.

Apart from the Indo-Pak rivalry, there will be few mini-battles seen among the players.

#4. Babar Azam vs Yuzvendra Chahal

Babar Azam is one of the pillars of Pakistan's batting as he holds the no.3 spot. Babar had a prolific run in the international cricket over the last couple of years. He is second fastest (no of innings taken) to reach 2000 runs in ODI cricket averaging over 54.22.

On the other side is the Indian spin sensation Yuzvendra Chahal. Yuzi is a smart cricketer and has a plethora of tactics to deceive the batsman. Chahal showed up in the match against Hong Kong where he scalped three wickets for 46 runs. Babar is a good player of spin and it will be great to see how he faces the menace of Chahal.

#3. MS Dhoni vs Hasan Ali

MS Dhoni is arguably the best finisher in the world currently. A batsman having amassed over 10000+ ODI runs averaging over 50 with a healthy strike-rate, such is the stature of this man.

Currently, no.3 ranked bowler in ODI rankings, Hasan Ali hasn't look behind after his inclusion to the national side. Ali was outstanding throughout the CT 2017 and was chosen as the Player of the Tournament. Moreover, he got the wicket of Dhoni in the CT final. Still, it won't be a fairytale for him to face MSD in the death overs.

#2. Fakhar Zaman vs Jasprit Bumrah

Last time the two met, Bumrah's no ball cost India CT 2017. It was fourth over of the innings, Fakhar was unable to find his feet with the ball swinging sideways, he edged a ball to the keeper and started walking. But Bumrah had overstepped, and the ball was regarded as no ball. Zaman took advantage of the dropped catch and went on to score a magnificent ton which laid the foundation for a big total. Eventually, India lost the match poorly and Bumrah was cursed for his over-stepping.

It will be great to see if Bumrah avenges the defeat. Or will Fakhar continue to have the upper hand?

#1. Rohit Sharma vs Md. Amir

No.1 position goes to the battle between Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Pakistan Bowling's spearhead Mohammad Amir. This will probably decide the course of the game. If Rohit manages to have the upper hand on Amir, we all are aware of the damage Hitman can do; however, if Amir continues his dominance over the Indian opener, things can turn sour for the Indian team. The Hitman's struggle against left-arm pacers is the thing which is worrying Indian fans very much.

Amir has been able to dismiss Rohit both the times they faced each-other including Asia Cup 2016 and Champions Trophy Final 2017. So, it will be the contest to watch out for.