Terror threat adds to hype of India vs Pakistan semi-final match

The India-Pakistan World Cup semi-final clash scheduled on Wednesday has come under threat of terrorist attack, necessitating the imposition of seven-layer security cover at the Mohali cricket stadium.

Intelligence sources said terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba, Indian Mujahideen and HUJI could strike during the match.

There are also concerns about possible low intensity attacks elsewhere. Intelligence agencies have intercepted telephone conversations between terrorists, indicating that 30 small groups of two-three terrorists have been formed by these outfits.

Interrogation of Lashkar men at Jammu also point to a terror blueprint. In view of these multiple leads, India is taking no chances.

The area over the Mohali Stadium will become a no-fly zone during the match.

All borders will be sealed and Pakistan fans will be allowed entry only via the Wagah border. All forward air bases are also on high alert and the Indian Air Force will keep an eye on things.

There's a proposal to have an eye in the sky with an unmanned aerial vehicle. Anti-aircraft guns are being used for the first time. NSG commandos and 48,000 security personnel have already been deployed in the area.

Shah Rukh Khan & Aamir Khan’s Plans For India Vs Pakistan Match

Cricket mania is nothing new in Bollywood. If Shah Rukh Khan owns an IPL team, Aamir Khan invites Sachin Tendulkar to almost all his screenings. With India and Pakistan clashing in the semi-finals, what better way for these stars to show their cricket love…and their clout.

Shah Rukh Khan has declared a screening of the India vs. Pakistan match at his house, Mannat, on 30th March, and Aamir Khan has also called friends over for a party with the match on. While SRK is grouping up with his filmy friends, namely Hrithik Roshan, Karan Johar, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, for the cricket world cup match, Aamir will be sticking to close family and friends, including newly-wed nephew Imran Khan. In fact, workaholic Aamir has even taken the day off from shooting for Reema Kagti’s Zakhmi, and will also be playing truant from the shoot for the finals on 2nd April.

Is this just a friendly cricket-get-together or a show of strength? Hope they all enjoy the match!

India vs Pak: Watchful minister tells team 'no match-fixing'

Islamabad Ahead of the prestigious match between India and Pakistan on Wednesday, Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik has warned his team not to indulge in any match-fixing.

Pakistan cricket has been dogged by match-fixing allegations from time to time, the latest surfacing last August during their tour of England. The tabloid sting which exposed cricketers involved in alleged match-fixing ultimately wiped off Pakistan's formidable pace attack – Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Aamir – and its former captain Salman Butt.

Malik also said he was keeping a “close watch” on the activities of the Pakistani cricket team.

After the sting last August, Pakistan's players were questioned by the Scotland Yard and a bookie was arrested in London.

The 'News of the World' tabloid alleged Pakistani bookie Mazhar Majeed had paid bribes to the players to bowl no-balls in the series and the Lord's Test.

India vs Pakistan: an epic boiling over

The time is ripe, the stage is set, the armageddons are ready! One desperate for a big win, the other trying to justify its status! On the way, old wounds may split open or fresh ones may be inflicted: that's the nature of an Indo-Pak encounter, and this one's no different.

While expectations soar on both sides of the border, tempers are sure to reach a crescendo and emotions set to drool over when the two teams line up for their national anthems before an epic ICC Cricket World Cup semifinal.

The journey for the two estranged neighbours though hasn't been without a few bumps before and during the World Cup.

Bloodshed in the Pakistan heartland during Sri Lanka's tour there had devastating consequences. The ICC snatched the World Cup holding rights from Pakistan as a penalty and cricket deprivation in terror-infested Pakistan deepened.

Pakistan bit the bullet by dropping the likes of Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik coming into the mega event after surfing over tsunamic tides of match-fixing in England.

Indecisiveness over naming the captain made the PCB look inept at handling team affairs. Only a turnaround in New Zealand helped restore sanity and Shahid Afridi was handed over the reins.

Unexpectedly, Pakistan took the blows on its chin, only to turn back and land a few in the World Cup with wins over Sri Lanka and Australia. But the campaign didn't go by without the customary Pakistani unpredictability. They survived 'Canadian' close shaves and 'Kiwi' disasters on their way to road-blocking the Caribbean caravan in the quarterfinals. And now, they have an Indian mountain to climb in the semifinals.

India's build-up, though more settled, had its fair share of problems, largely selection quandaries, surrounding around the inclusion of Piyush Chawla. And when the fans had somehow digested the leg-spinner's inclusion, a setback followed when Praveen Kumar was 'elbowed' out of the World Cup, giving S Sreesanth a new lease of life.

The pre-tournament favourites, like Pakistan, had a few scary incidents during their swim into the semifinals. They survived a choking gulp at the English channel, an unexpected high tide while crossing Ireland and a pirate attack by South Africa before giving a nervous send-off to the defending champions Australia in the quarterfinal.

At the end of 46 matches and 37 days of competition, the tussle is now down to four teams, two semifinals and at the end of it, two finalists.

But before going that far, the most awaited stopover is the Mohali semifinal, where India is an expected visitor and Pakistan a popular ICC guest who refuses to leave the World Cup party.

India Vs Pakistan : Match of World Cup 2011

India and Pakistan clash is all time favorite game for any cricket fan in the world. Especially in India and Pakistan, Its mind blowing nerve chewing game as the two rivals will play like do or die even in a minor game. But now this is really a big match in the big tourney. Its semi finals and the two rivals meeting in a do or die match.

Earlier, India dominated the Pakistan in the all the world cups. India won all the previous matches in the world cups including a quarter finals knock out match held in 2003 world cup. But history may not remain same as records were broken and new records are created/ repeated. Especially with the current form of  two teams and having strong contenders and match winners ,who may turn the match towards their team.

India Vs Pakistan is now considered to be India batting lineup and Pakistan bowling attack’s fight. Indian top order batsmen are in great form and scored more than 1500 runs in this world cup.  Sachin, Sehwag, Gambhir and Kohli are producing some great innings and in the middle order Yuvraj and Raina adding match winning performances to Team India. Especially Yuvraj all round performance is hugely moving India’s success.

On the other side, Pakistan batting was not much impressive except the last quarter finals match. Pakistan is unable to make big scored but are well backed by their strong bowling line up. With Umar Gul, Abdul Razzaq, Wahab Riaz, S Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez picking wickets and controlling the opponent batsman.

Shahid Afridi taking the whole responsibility, bowling magic spells to clinch victories for his team. Afridi is one of the leading wicket takers in the big tournament. Pakistan team’s performance against India is always not predictable as it will definitely have huge difference than on other teams. Pakistan will put their 100% to defeat India and the same by India to defeat Pakistan.

Key Points:

Afridi all magic spells were against opponents who are weak in playing the spin but India is good at playing spin especially at home ground.

Pressure on Indian team, playing at home ground in a big match which yields high expectations on team increases the force to play unnatural game.

Ind vs Pak: Thrills and spills in India-Pakistan Cup matches

Excitement and pressure will go hand in hand when Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Indians clash with Shahid Afridi's Pakistanis in Wednesday's high-voltage World Cup semifinal in Mohali.

There has never been a dull moment ever since the two countries played their first World Cup match in 1992 at Sydney.

Pakistan, playing impressive cricket in the ongoing tournament, will also be determined to overcome a jinx after having lost all of their four World Cup matches against their arch-rivals.

All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, man of the match in Pakistan's quarterfinal win over the West Indies in Dhaka on Wednesday, has said he is keenly looking forward to playing in Mohali.

"It will be really exciting to play India. The atmosphere will be really electrifying. Playing in front of an Indian crowd will be interesting," Hafeez recently told an Indian newspaper.

"I hope India and Pakistan play more matches in future."

It will be the third one-dayer between India and Pakistan in nearly three years as the cricketing ties between the two snapped following the 2008 attacks on India's financial hub Mumbai.

The World Cup matches between India and Pakistan have provided plenty of thrills.

Top Pakistani batsman Javed Miandad was a photographers' delight in 1992 when he jumped up and down, apparently in imitation of Indian wicket-keeper Kiran More who had been repeatedly appealing.

The 43-run defeat at Sydney did not affect Pakistan's chances as they rallied from the brink to win the World Cup under Imran Khan's inspirational leadership.

But the next defeat in the 1996 World Cup did.

Pakistan's 39-run defeat came in the quarterfinal at Bangalore where many believed they had lost half the battle before the first ball had been bowled.

Their captain and quality paceman, Wasim Akram, withdrew from the game due to an injury - a decision the fans found hard to swallow. He was later widely criticised for pulling out of a big match.

Pakistan lost the remaining half of the battle when well-set opener Aamer Sohail lost his cool and wicket after being involved in a verbal duel with Indian seamer Venkatesh Prasad.

Chasing a 288-run target, Pakistan were 113/1 before Sohail was bowled for 55 to become one of Prasad's three victims. It was all over when veteran Miandad was run out for 38 in what turned to be his last World Cup appearance.

The third World Cup clash came at Old Trafford in England in 1999. It was again Prasad who troubled Pakistan, claiming five wickets to help India win by 47 runs in a Super Sixes fixture.

The 2003 World Cup match at Centurion in South Africa was dubbed as a duel between superstars Sachin Tendulkar of India and Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar.

Tendulkar won the fascinating battle, smashing a robust 98 before becoming the paceman's lone victim of the innings. Akhtar conceded 72 in 10 overs in his team's six-wicket defeat.

Tendulkar is now just one ton short of completing 100 international centuries while Akhtar is retiring after the World Cup.

India vs Pakistan semi final match, fans already in a frenzy

BATTLE GROUND in Mohali's Punjab Cricket Association Stadium is ready for the second semi final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 between India and Pakistan on Wednesday, March 30. However, the war between these two cricket loving nations will spread peace and unity among the cricket fans - such is the nature of the great game of cricket.

This is the first time India and Pakistan will meet with each other in the semi final of the Cricket World Cup since 1975. Both Indian and Pakistani cricket-mad fans are really excited for this encounter.

An Indian fan in Delhi said, "India vs Pakistan semi final match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 is going to be the mother of all cricket matches so far. However, I'm supporting India, but wish that the match is entertaining and thrilling. Both India and Pakistan deserve to win the Cricket World Cup."

One more Indian fan in Mumbai said, "I don't know about the teams but we as followers of the game are sure as hell nervous. There's also excitement. Everytime India and Pakistan play one just can't predict the result. Both seem equally matched, though I would say India are playing at home and this makes them favourites."

In Hyderabad, Venkatesh Kumar said, "ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 should go to either India or Pakistan. None other than these two countries can hold the biggest trophy."

A group of students told in Lucknow, "the second semi final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 will bring peace, happiness, prosperity and friendship among the people of India and Pakistan. It doesn't matter who will win, but the team who deserves, should win."

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also invited Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to watch the India vs Pakistan semi final match on March 30.

Yes it is true, it doesn't matter who will win the second semi final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in Mohali on March 30 between India and Pakistan. It is certain that sports-loving nations will become witnesses to history being made.

India vs Pakistan: results in major tournaments show even match

TWO ARCH-rivals in the cricket field, India and Pakistan, will meet in the second semi final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Wednesday, March 30. During the Cricket World cup, both teams have met four times.

Other than the Cricket World Cup matches, India and Pakistan have met several times in cricket tournaments so far since 1984. Pakistan's winning record is far better than India's in big-league tournaments in which at least three countries have participated.

Here are the results of tournament matches, where the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 semi finalists India and Pakistan have played with each other:

Tournament: Asia Cup Winner India 1984
Result: India by 54 runs

Tournament: Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket 1985
Result: India won by 6 wickets in league match
Result: India won by 8 wickets in final

Tournament: Rothmans Four-Nations Cup 1984/85
Result: India won by 38 runs

Tournament: Austral-Asia Cup 1986
Result: Pakistan won by 1 wicket in final

Tournament: Champions Trophy Cricket 1986
Result: Pakistan won by 3 wickets in final

Tournament: Champions Trophy Cricket 1988
Result: Pakistan won by 34 runs

Tournament: Asia Cup 1988
Result: India won by 4 wickets

Tournament: Champions Trophy 1989
Result: Pakistan won by 11 runs
Result: Pakistan won by 38 runs

Tournament: Nehru Cup Cricket 1989
Result: Pakistan won by 77 runs

Tournament: Austral-Asia Cup 1989
Pakistan won by 26 runs

Tournament: Wills Trophy 1991
Result: India won by 60 runs
Result: Pakistan won by 4 runs
Result: Pakistan won by 72 runs

Tournament: Austral-Asia Cup Cricket 1994
Result: Pakistan won by 6 wickets

Tournament: Singer World Series Cricket 1994
Result: Match abandoned

Tournament: Asia Cup Cricket 1995
Result: Pakistan won by 97 runs

Tournament: Singer World Series Cricket 1996
Result: Pakistan won by 8 wickets

Tournament: Sharjah Cup 1996
Result: Pakistan won by 38 runs
Result: India won by 28 runs

Tournament: Independence Cup 1997
Result: Pakistan won by 35 runs

Tournament: Asia Cup Cricket 1997
Result: Match abandoned

Tournament: Independence Cup cricket 1998
Result: India won by 18 runs
Result: Final 1: India won by 8 wickets
Result: Final 2: Pakistan won by 6 wickets
Result: Final 3: India won by 3 wickets

Tournament: Pepsi Cup cricket 1999
Result: Pakistan won by 143 runs
Result: Pakistan won by 7 wickets
Result: Pakistan won by 123 runs in final

Tournament: Coca-Cola Cup 2000
Result: India won by 5 wickets
Result: Pakistan won by 98 runs

Tournament: Asia Cup Cricket 2000
Result: Pakistan won by 44 runs

Tournament: Asia Cup Cricket 2004
Result: Pakistan won by 59 runs

Tournament: Asia Cup Cricket 2008
Result: India won by 6 wickets
Result: Pakistan won by 8 wickets

Tournament: Asia Cup Cricket 2010
Result: India won by 3 wickets

India vs Pakistan World Cup semi-final: Fans scramble for tickets

Tickets for the much-anticipated India- Pakistan World Cup semifinal have been sold out days ago but the mad scramble for them continues with desperate fans flocking the PCA stadium here even today.

Scores of fans could be seen moving around the stadium hoping desperately to grab a ticket from somewhere.

On Tuesday itself, the PCA had announced that 14,000 tickets at its disposal had been sold to the public through the designated bank and its counters and asked the fans not to approach them now.

However, fans are not prepared to give up. "I have been coming here since Monday, but have not been able to get any ticket," said Vikas Sharma, a young executive with a private company.

Allegations that black marketers are making a killing have been flying thick and fast.

"The tickets are available, but if you pay Rs 3,000 for a Rs 250 ticket and shell out Rs 10,000 for a Rs 1,000 ticket. Those selling in black have managed to purchase tickets in bulk," alleged Ram Kumar, a bank officer in Chandigarh.

"The semi-final match is going to be mother of all battles, in a way even bigger than the finals. Genuine fans should not be deprived of watching the match and police should take tough action against those selling in black," he said.

A good number of fans are also expected to come here from across the border to support Pakistan.

Representatives of some corporates willing to pay astronomical amounts could be seen making a beeline outside the PCA in their desperate bid to get tickets of the prized boxes.

Meanwhile, with top dignitaries from India and Pakistan expected to be there to watch the match, top police brass reviewed the security arrangements that will be put in place.

Nearly 2,000 cops are expected to be deployed in and around the PCA stadium as part of security measures, police sources said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sent an invite to his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari to watch the match.

"We are also expecting many other top dignitaries from the two countries and therefore maximum security will be in place for the match," a Punjab police official said.

Hotel Taj in Chandigarh, about 12km from here, where the two teams are staying has been turned into a fortress with 1,000 cops deployed for security.