The cricket match between India and Pakistan is one of the most awaited games that the people across the borders never misses the opportunity to watch on their televisions. Whenever India and Pakistan play against each other, a string of emotions sweeps over the entire climate of both the countries, making it look like a World Cup final match. People from both the counties cheer up and pray for the victory of their respective teams with an unparalleled vigour and intensity. The instances of TV sets being broken in both India and Pakistan by the cricket fans after their country loses the match are the testament to the importance India-Pak cricket match holds for both the teams and their supporters.
Due to the acrimonious relationship between India and Pakistan at the diplomatic level, not a single international match has been played between India and Pakistan as the part of bilateral series since 2013 when Pakistan had toured India. The previous international match between India and Pakistan was the final of Champions Trophy at Lords in June 2017, where India lost to Pakistan, leaving the people in India angry and disappointed at the dismal performance of the Indian team. This time around both the teams will be once again playing against each other on 19th September in Asia Cup 2018 being held in UAE.
The regular captain of Indian cricket team Virat Kohli has been given the rest after the hectic tour of England, while Rohit Sharma has been given the charge to lead the team for Asia Cup. Given the weight, Virat Kohli brings to the side as a player, which is evident by his consistent performance across the three formats of the game, the question, whether India will be able to pull off the match against its arch-rival Pakistan, has been looming over the minds of Indian cricket fans. Some believe that in the absence of Virat Kohli, the path towards winning the Asia Cup is not going to be easy. While others argue that, though Virat Kohli may have been out of the team for this tournament, still Indian team has enough potential to defeat the formidable Pakistan and lift the Cup as the winner.
