It's the rivalry that matters. When India played Hong Kong in their opening Asia Cup match at the Dubai International stadium here yesterday, it drew sparse crowds. But it will be filled to the rafters when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan at the same venue today.

With both teams expected to qualify for the next round, this game is more for gaining a psychological edge ahead of the crucial Super Four match at the same venue on September 23. And if both keep winning their other matches, the two could well meet again in the September 28 final. But that's for the future. There is no doubt the teams will not be thinking too far ahead and, as captains usually say, they will be taking one game at a time.