Six nations are eyeing the big prize at the Asia Cup

Dubai - The event serves as the ideal platform as teams ramp up their preparations for the World Cup

Six nations are eyeing the big prize at the Asia Cup but the talk inevitably has tilted towards the marquee clash between India and old nemesis Pakistan.
India renew their rivalry against their old nemesis for the first time since that defeat in the Champions Trophy final at Edgbaston last year, with them facing off at the 'Ring of Fire,' the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
And while captain Rohit Sharma, who is keeping the seat warm for Virat Kohli, acknowledged that it will be exciting to have a go against their neighbours in the intense heat of Dubai, he said that they will have to keep an eye on the other teams as well.
"It is always exciting to play Pakistan. Of course, they have been a great nation and have played some real good cricket, off late. And we are looking forward to that clash," Rohit said during a pre-tournament briefing on Friday.
"But again, there are other teams here as well who are eyeing for the title. So, all the games that are going to be played here will be quite competitive and by no means I'm saying the focus should be on one game, the focus should be on the whole tournament because every team is eyeing for that title," he added.
It will be a bit of an unknown for Rohit and his men as India last played on these shores back in 2006. But he said that the focus we be on doing well on their return.
"I was not aware that it has been 12 years since India last played here. As a team, we are only seven or eight of us here right now. Half the team are still on their way from England and they will be here soon. So, once everyone gets together we know the focus and we exactly know what we need to do as a group," said Rohit.
"Off late, we have played some great cricket in limited-overs and we have won quite a few series outside India. So, hopefully this gives us another opportunity before the big World Cup. I'm sure everybody will be looking forward to it and we will be focussed on the job at hand. It is important in a tournament like this we take one game at a time and think about how we need to go and dominate that game, rather than thinking too far ahead. It is important that you take one game at a time and go forward," he added.
The Asia Cup serves as the ideal platform as teams ramp up their preparations for the World Cup to be held in England next year.
And while Rohit said that would be the case for most teams, he said that they shouldn't lose focus on the tournament.
"In a way, you can say that because every team wants to go to that World Cup knowing their combination, knowing their strength. But, having said that, I personally feel it is important to focus at the job at hand rather than looking too far ahead. Every team here will be eyeing for that perfect combination going to the World Cup and I'm sure every team here will try to get that combination right. But again, I will not understand what Angie (Angelo Mathews) would be thinking about, what he wants to do or same with Sarfraz (Ahmed), Mashrafe (Mortaza) and the other captains as well. I don't know their strengths, I don't know their weaknesses. Of course, as the tournament goes by, we will understand what the teams are doing individually. So, it is important to understand that," Rohit said.
"But the World Cup is too far ahead and we are going to play a lot of games before that. So, for me, as a member of the squad, it will be nice for us to focus on one tournament and then move forward. It is important that all the guys who are going to be part of this Indian team will have a great opportunity to perform and stake their claim for the World Cup squad. It is a great tournament and every team here will be trying for that perfect combination," he added.

• Asia Cup 2019