India and Pakistan are set to clash for a high voltage game on Saturday in 4th Match of Asia Cup 2016 at Dhaka. India and Pakistan are set to clash for a high-voltage game on Saturday in 4th Match of Asia Cup 2016 at Dhaka after a span of one year. After much political deliberations, the two teams are finally pitted against each other for a much-awaited and entertainment-packed contest. In the previous edition of Asia Cup 2014, India faced a close call match with Pakistan losing the game by a wicket, Shahid Afridi plundering two sixes and sealing a spectacular victory out of nowhere. Considering this will be a Twenty20 International (T20I), the drama is expected to reach another level. When it comes to T20Is, India has always had an upper hand considering the history between these countries. If we leave aside the Asia Cup where both teams have been equally strong in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), T20Is have usually been India’s forte when the sides have locked horns. With India’s recent performance in T20Is against Australia and Sri Lanka, they have come out stronger with youngsters bringing the out the best for India. This has left India to be the No. 1 team in T20I rankings. India have all the chances to win this match against Pakistan for the following factors: India’s batting line-up is strong enough to crush Pakistan outright, with the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, who have been consistent with their performances in T20I series against Australia and Sri Lanka. While Rohit and Dhawan have provided India with several launching pads, Kohli’s consecutive half-centuries in Australia speak volumes of his form. India’s middle-order proved to be a surprise element in the first match of Asia Cup against Bangladesh, with Hardik Pandya launching into Bangladesh and taking the match away from them. Pandya, during his 25-ball 31, has shown he can hit the ball extremely hard. We all know what Suresh Raina can do in T2oIs, while MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh and Ravindra Jadeja take up the positions as soon as top order crumbles. Ravichandran Ashwin is quickly emerging as the world’s leading spinner across formats, with Jadeja playing the perfect foil. Ashish Nehra has come back, better and fresher than before, taking out wickets in his first spell and finishing things in his final spell. With his yorkers, subtle variations, and intelligent change of pace, Jasprit Bumrah has been a revelation. With Pandya — who hits the 135-kph-mark consistently — being the fifth bowler, and Yuvraj and Raina providing additional options, India have a bowling unit more settled than most teams. It is not always that India is considered one of the best fielding units in the world, but the current Indian side is. Rohit, Jadeja, Kohli, Raina and Pandya are all exceptional in the places they man; Dhoni’s reflexes seem to have improved with age; despite the age, Yuvraj remains a force on the field; while Dhawan and Bumrah are safe on the field. The outcome of those hours put in fielding practice are starting to show. Considering the way India have bounced back in T20Is against Australia and Sri Lanka over the past two months has been commendable. They faced a setback against South Africa at home, losing the T20Is 0-2, and lost the ODIs against South Africa at home and in Australia. However, since the T20Is started, they have won 6 and lost 1. If their form continues, it will be extremely difficult for Pakistan to compete.