India start off their Asia Cup T20 campaign against hosts Bangladesh tomorrow but all eyes will be glued for their mega-clash versus arch-rivals Pakistan later in the week. (Virat Kohli happy to see Mohammad Amir back in action )

India and Pakistan have not played each other since the World Cup, where Virat Kohli's match-winning hundred in Adelaide remained one of the top talking-points throughout the tournament. (Time for Asian powerhouses to be scared of Bangladesh )

A much-awaited bilateral series between the two rivals did not materialise after India refused to travel to the Middle East for the limited-overs matches. Pakistan, subsequently, turned down BCCI's offer to play the series in India.

Much water has passed under the bridge since that balmy evening at the Adelaide Oval. India, who stormed to the semi-finals, have failed to win ODI series against Bangladesh, South Africa and Australia while Pakistan were blessed with the return of Mohammad Amir.

India and Pakistan were on either side of the Tasman Sea in the lead-up to the Asia Cup. But Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men came back home a lot more rejuvenated after whitewashing their hosts 3-0 in the T20 series before registering a clinical 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka. (Don't take Bangladesh lightly, Ravi Shastri warns India )

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels India are favourites to win the highly anticipated match on Saturday, thanks to their current form.

"Yes, that'll be a good game to look forward to and given the way India are playing right now, they're clear favourites," Akram told the Times of India.

Akram lauded the Asian Cricket Council for changing the format to T20s in the tournament. The ICC World Twenty20 starts next month and four of the five participating teams - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh could not have asked for better practice ahead of the marquee event.

"The Asia Cup, this year, assumes a lot of significance particularly because of the Twenty20 format that it'll be played in. It was a very sensible decision on part of the Asian Cricket Council.

"Out of the last three World T20 champions, three are participating in this Asia Cup, so that quotient alone adds so much excitement to the tournament. Then, Bangladesh have been an unbeatable side at home. This edition has a lot of potential and will help teams pick their best combinations for World T20," said Akram.