Karachi: Hong Kong have been knocked out of Asia Cup and the tournament actually starts for India and Pakistan when the two archrivals take on each other in Karachi on Thursday.
Just two weeks ago both teams locked horns in the final of the Kitply Cup in Bangladesh with Pakistan winning.
The match against Hong Kong was a stroll in the park for the Indian team. Hong Kong aren't exactly a top-class opponent one would worry about and as expected the match turned out to be a dull affair.
The result was never in doubt but with the famed Indian batting lineup getting big runs and now the signs are ominous for Pakistan.
They were at the receiving end in the group match in Dhaka but it won't be always that India falter.
"We can take this opportunity to practice and make an effort in the areas where you want to put in more efforts in the game. So we are just looking forward to that. But with the kind of start that was provided we wanted to rotate in the middle overs and we benefited," Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said.
But Pakistan are playing at home and they have always lifted their game against India.
The Indians have some fitness concerns as well with Irfan Pathan unlikely to play the game.
Pakistan are a team in transition and they have their off days but when they do get their act together they roll like a well-oiled machine.
Both sides are through to the next stage but with points getting carried forward no one's relaxing.
"A match against India whether it is a league match or a final match, it is always very important. Every match is important for us," Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik.
However, too much of India-Pakistan matches have seen fans losing interest. And Thursday’s match is a chance for the two teams to re-ignite a great rivalry.
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