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In the world of cricket, few contests capture the imagination like India vs. Pakistan. The historical significance, both in the cricketing arena and beyond, combined with the caliber of players involved, makes this rivalry arguably the most significant in world cricket. Although these two cricketing giants rarely face each other nowadays, each match remains highly anticipated.

A rivalry with limited encounters

The last One Day International (ODI) between India and Pakistan dates back to the 2019 World Cup. While memories of Fakhar Zaman's century and Jasprit Bumrah's infamous no-ball in the 2017 Champions Trophy final still resonate, the two teams have clashed in only three ODIs since then. This limited encounter adds to the intrigue surrounding their upcoming match in Pallekele.

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Uncertainty surrounding favorites

Determining the favorites for Saturday's game is no easy task due to their infrequent meetings. Historically, it's been a battle between Pakistan's formidable bowlers and India's powerful batters. While this dynamic remains key, the upcoming ODI World Cup adds an extra layer of significance to the contest.

Return of key players

The Asia Cup was expected to mark the return of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Iyer has been declared fit, but Rahul is still working on regaining full fitness. This situation opens up an opportunity for Ishan Kishan, who impressed with three consecutive half-centuries in the West Indies, albeit as an opener. With Rohit Sharma's return, Kishan may have to adjust to a different batting position.

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Form concerns for Pakistan

Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, is in exceptional form, exemplified by his remarkable 151 against Nepal in the tournament opener. However, Fakhar Zaman's recent batting struggles might be a cause for concern. Since his remarkable three consecutive centuries, including an unbeaten 180 against New Zealand, Fakhar has managed only 139 runs in seven innings. Nonetheless, both teams recognize Fakhar's destructive potential. Pakistan also enjoys the advantage of a deep batting lineup, a feature that India currently lacks.