Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal in Indian football. Canada vs the United States in women's hockey. Or even Barcelona vs Real Madrid in European soccer. All three have one thing in common – they are all famous rivalries. However, most pale in comparison to an India vs Pakistan duel in cricket. While the other participating nations in the Asia Cup might take umbrage with the aforementioned notion, the tournament is undoubtedly all about the two subcontinental giants taking on each other.

While the tournament kickstarted on Wednesday with the Men in Green inflicting a massive 238-run defeat upon minnows Nepal, the fierce contest of national identities will be renewed by India and Pakistan on Saturday. Showdowns on the cricket field between the two countries, like the expected encounter at Kandy, have become increasingly rare. In fact, even for a match to be held at all, though, at a neutral venue, both players and fans look up to the organisers so they can weather growing calls for a possible boycott.