Aamir to watch semifinal live in Mohali

Updated at: 0819 PST,  Tuesday, March 29, 2011

MUMBAI: While the rest of the media have been reporting that Aamir Khan is taking on his archrival Shah Rukh Khan by throwing a cricket bash at his house at the same time when SRK is having a bash at Mannat. Fact is that Aamir has cancelled the shooting of Reema Kagti's untitled movie and is flying down to Mohali to see the high-octane India-Pakistan cricket match live. Shah Rukh has also cancelled all his appointments to watch the Indo-Pak match with his close friends. The guest list includes Hrithik Roshan, Karan Johar, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay and wife Maheep Kapoor, Chunky and Bhavna Pandey.

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Ponting quits as Aussie Test, ODI captain

Updated at: 1633 PST,  Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Ricky Ponting quit as Australia's Test and one-day captain on Tuesday, just days after the champions were knocked out of the World Cup, but said he remained available for selection.The 36-year-old, who led Australia in more than 300 Test and one-day matches, insisted he was "not tapped on the shoulder" to give up the captaincy, and endorsed deputy Michael Clarke as his successor.I have resigned as captain of both the Test and one day Australian teams," Ponting told a press conference. "I will continue to play and am available for selection in both the one-day and Test teams I have thought long and hard about what Australian cricket needs. Now is the right time for the next captain to assume the responsibility for both the Test and one-day teams," he added.Ponting said Australia's exit in the quarter-finals of the World Cup last week in India prompted his decision to stand aside.The fact that we went out of the World Cup when we did was the main reason," he said, while denying he had been forced out by Cricket Australia.Today is a new start for me and I am very excited about the future. I will give my complete support to our new captain and continue to do my best to set the best possible example for my team-mates and emerging cricketers alike.Cricket chairman Jack Clarke paid tribute to Ponting's "outstanding" leadership.Australia Ricky Ponting has been an outstanding batsman, one of the best to wear the baggy green," he said.His leadership as captain has been outstanding and I sometimes think his brilliance with the bat has overshadowed his fine work as captain.Those close to the team know his true worth in guiding his players and setting a personal example of commensurate professionalism, particularly in recent years following the retirement of so many great of the gamePonting captained Australia in 77 Test matches for 48 wins - the most of any Test skipper  16 losses and 13 draws.In his 228 one-day matches in charge, he returned 164 wins and 50 losses.Cricket Australia will meet later on Tuesday to discuss who succeeds him, with Clarke the overwhelming favourite.I fully endorse Michael Clarke as the next captain," said Ponting.The Australian team for the three-match one-day international series in Bangladesh will be announced on Wednesday.

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CWC 2011 proves that 50-over cricket has a future: Haroon Lorgat

Updated at: 1633 PST,  Tuesday, March 29, 2011

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat told the Sri Lanka Press Institute Press Club meeting in Colombo today that the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 had demonstrated that 50-over cricket has a long and successful future ahead of it.Speaking before an audience of diplomats, business leaders and journalists, Mr Lorgat said: "I had confidently predicted to the media on 1 February that this ICC Cricket World Cup would be the perfect showcase for the 50-over format to answer the critics and I had proclaimed that 'ODI cricket is alive and well'I am pleased - and naturally relieved - to say that so far the statements I have made have proven to be correct.The evidence to prove that 50-over cricket is far from finished has been plentiful. The television audiences have been the biggest in history and the India v England match in Bengaluru on 27 February is the most watched game in the history of ODIs… and it doesn't take a genius to predict that when India faces Pakistan in Mohali on Wednesday that record may well be smashed.And the crowds have been outstanding. Most of us would have been at R Premadasa Stadium on Saturday to watch a full-house celebrate as Sri Lanka cruised into the semi-final. No one that night was questioning the future of 50-over cricket nor will they in Chandigarh on Wednesday and nor were they in Bangladesh where the stadiums continued to be packed even after the home team went out of the competition.Mr Lorgat added that research conducted by the ICC had shown that there was still enormous support for 50-over cricket but had also demanded more context and content for ODIs.He said: "This World Cup clearly has context and we also have great content. The scoring-rate of more than five runs an over has been the highest in history. Records have tumbled and heroes continue to be made at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.The meaning of the World Cup is building. Can any one of India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka repeat the glory of their predecessor teams or will New Zealand make an even greater narration by writing its name boldly into the history of the game. Who will it be?There is something hugely significant at stake - not only for the teams but also for their countries. Can you just imagine what the reception would be like here in Colombo and across this island if Kumar Sangakkara and his team brings home the CWC trophy from Mumbai?It would be one of those moments when breath is taken away - not just for the players but for everyone in this country.And the same would apply to the other three countries. There is nothing quite like nation v nation cricket when national pride is at stake on a global stage.In Mohali, there will be another massive factor that would add to the context. I personally hope to see the mighty power of sport and in particular the Great Spirit of cricket providing a platform for the governments of India and Pakistan to come together around an ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final.I heard someone say yesterday that 'cricket diplomacy is better than no diplomacy', and another said that 'cricket will create harmony'.A part of the ICC vision is to 'build bridges between continents, countries and communities'. If this happens it will truly be fantastic and just reward for a sport that has Great Spirit. He added: "When we started this ICC Cricket World Cup our promotional campaign talked of 14 teams competing in 49 matches for one trophy.That trophy - for players, administrators, spectators alike - is The Cup that Counts - a 50-over competition.

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India under pressure ahead of big clash

Updated at: 1633 PST,  Tuesday, March 29, 2011

MOHALI: Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi insists that the pressure and expectation will all be on India's shoulders in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final blockbuster.With the prize of a place in Saturday's final at stake, a fever-pitch mood is expected with the 30,000 capacity Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium sold out days ago for the crunch clash. We are not the most favourite team for this competition. India is the most favourite and we have played above expectations. We are very confident and we are enjoying our cricket," said Afridi. But India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni shrugged off the hype surrounding a match which has also taken on huge diplomatic and political significance."It's an honour to lead the side," said Dhoni. "If you take a pressure job, you will find yourself in a pressure cooker. When you talk about hype and pressure, what does not help you needs to be kept away. "You need to top up on the skills aspect - vital areas we are focusing on.The match will be a clash between Pakistan's well-balanced bowling attack and India's star-studded top order, including opener Sachin Tendulkar who needs just one more century for a hundred international hundreds."We believe we have the strongest bowling attack in the world," said Pakistan opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez, who took the new ball with his off-spin in the quarter-final win over the West Indies. "That's the key." Pakistan's Umar Gul is arguably the best reverse-swing bowler at this tournament while Saaed Ajmal's off-spin a potent weapon. And then there is the leg-spin of Pakistan captain Afridi who is the tournament's top bowler with 21 wickets at an average of just 10.71 apiece. Meanwhile fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who will retire after the World Cup, waits in the wings. Akhtar has played just three games at this tournament but the suspicion remains that India's batsmen can be troubled by high-class fast bowling. "Shoaib is not 100 percent but I think he is trying his level-best and we will decide (on his selection) this evening," Afridi said. India did manage to overcome champions Australia's three-pronged pace attack in a five-wicket quarter-final win in Ahmedabad but that was on a pitch favouring spin. Even then, India collapsed to 187 for five chasing 261 for victory, and it needed a composed 57 not out from the in-form Yuvraj Singh, now back on his home ground, to see the co-hosts to victory. Traditionally, the Mohali pitch has always offered plenty of pace and bounce and that could yet see Pakistan give Akhtar one last shot at India. Pakistan's ability to make early inroads into a top order featuring Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir could be decisive. India's bowlers, notably left-arm quick Zaheer Khan and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, did a good containing job against Australia. India will look for similar results in a bid to book a place in the April 2 Mumbai final against either Sri Lanka or New Zealand. "I think it's a great sign for both countries and sports, especially cricket always brings these two countries together," Afridi said. Pakistan, who've yet to register an individual hundred at this event, have lost all four of their World Cup matches against India. However, Hafeez said: "Pakistan has not defeated India in the World Cup but in the last 12 years, Australia also had not lost a single World Cup game. But then they lost to us (by four wickets) and to India. "There is no point thinking about the past. We think about the day; whoever the opponent is, we try to win the day."

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World Cup-1st SF: Sri Lanka restrict Kiwis to 217

Updated at: 1803 PST,  Tuesday, March 29, 2011

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka bowled out New Zealand for 217 runs in the first semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2011 here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday.After captain Daniel Vettori won the toss and decided to bat, none of the Kiwi batsmen could score freely against fast bowler Lasith Malinga and spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Asantha Mendis and were all out in 48.5 overs Muralitharan took a wicket with his final ball on home soil as he dismissed New Zealand's top scorer Scott Styris (57) with the last ball of his 10th over.The 38-year-old world record holder for Test and one-day wickets will retire from international cricket after the tournament.Lasith Malinga took wickets at key stages, yorking opener Martin Guptill (39) and Kane Williamson (22) and deceiving Nathan McCullum (9) with a slower delivery which the batsman edged to Kumar Sangakkara behind the stumps.Asantha Mendis also took three wickets, dismissing New Zealand's last two batsmen Tim Southee and Andy McKay for ducks.Styris added 77 from 106 balls with Ross Taylor (36) to take New Zealand to 161 for four from 39.1 overs.The pair found run-scoring difficult against the variety and accuracy of the Sri Lankan attack, with Styris getting some relief with a hook and drive for four off a Malinga over.The stage was set for a New Zealand run charge but Taylor hit Mendis straight to Upul Tharanga on the leg-side boundary and the New Zealanders never recovered.

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World Cup-1st SF: Kiwis elect to bat against Sri Lanka

Updated at: 1422 PST,  Tuesday, March 29, 2011

COLOMBO: New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka in the first semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2011 here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday.Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was declared fit to play and he was included in an unchanged side which beat England by 10 wickets in the quarter-final on Saturday.The 38-year-old spinner was doubtful for the game after hurting his knee and aggravating a quadricep injury.New Zealand brought in Andy McKay for left-arm spinner Luke Woodcock in the only change from the team which beat South Africa by 49 runs in the quarter-finals.McKay was a replacement in the 15-man squad for injured Kyle Mills.Teams: Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath.New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Andy McKay, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson.

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Sri Lanka's brute batting force and shrewd bowling would be up against a sprightly New Zealand, aiming for a maiden summit clash berth in the World Cup, when the two sides clash in the first semifinal of the megaevent on Tuesday.Despite making the semifinals in six out of 10 World Cups, New Zealand have always been dubbed the underdogs who have never made the. But the Kiwis believe this could be their breakthrough tournament. New Zealand, after creating an upset in the quarterfinal by beating title-favourites South Africa, will be hoping to spring a similar surprise on the 1996 champions and 2007 runners-up.We are proud of our history of making semifinals, but looking at this team we want to make history and go one step further and make the final. We genuinely believe we can do that and we want to show that tomorrow," vice-captain Ross Taylor told reporters. New Zealand qualified last from Group 'A', but stunned South Africa, who qualified first from Group 'B', in Dhaka on Friday when they beat them by 49 runs. The spirited performance has created quite a buzz about the team which has a reputation of punching above its weight in major international events.We are taking a lot of confidence from our last game against south Africa. We have got an advantage that we have played against Sri Lanka in Group matches and we did a few things wrong there. Hopefully we can rectify that tomorrow," Taylor, who is also the highest run getter for the Kiwis in the competition told reporters.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are one of the leading contenders to win this year's World Cup.All four of their top order batsmen have scored hundreds in the competition so far but the lower half is a bit of a concern considering the number five, six and seven have just one half-century between them.Sri Lanka had a comprehensive 10-wicket win over England in their quarterfinal on Saturday where they beat them with 63 balls to spare, but captain Kumar Sangakkara said despite the easy win, his team wouldn't take the New Zealanders lightly.We can learn a few things from the England game and rectify a few things. New Zealand are a good side. Wheat I have seen them is that in big tournaments they lift their game. They are a united bunch and I think our semi-final will be a close encounter. We need to play hard without thinking too far ahead and I don't like to overrate us," Sangakkara said.Sri Lanka did beat New Zealand in a Group game in Mumbai, but Sangakkara said history hardly mattered in the knockout stage.Things like psychological advantage and all others takes a second place when it comes to proper cricket and good performance on the field. You can't think of what's gone before. Group stage games are long gone and I don't t think New Zealand are thinking about that," Sangakkara said.Sri Lanka are expected to again go with a three-strong spin attack, a ploy they used against England and Australia.
However, there are doubts over off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who is nursing a hamstring injury.
The Kiwis, on the other hand, have no major injury and have in fact been boosted by the return to form imposing all-rounder Jacob Oram, who grabbed four wickets and a couple of athletic catches in the quarterfinal win over South Africa.
Teams (from):
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (Captain and Wicketkeeper), Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath.
New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (Captain), James Franklin, Martin Guptill Jamie How, Brendon McCullum (Wicketkeeper), Nathan McCullum, Andy McKay, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey, Kane Williamson and Luke Woodcock.
Umpires: Steve Davis (Aus) and Aleem Dar (Pak)
Third Umpire: Marais Erasmus (SA)
Match Referee: Chris Broad (Eng)

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Afridi dismayed over Malik’s assertion

Updated at: 0031 PST,  Tuesday, March 29, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Phoning the skipper national cricket team, Shahid Khan Afridi, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani late Monday wished that Pakistan cricket team might not let the nation go down and might leave no stone unturned to become victorious in semifinal match against archrivals India to be played Wednesday, 30 March, reported.According to sources, Shahid Afridi, on the occasion, complained PM about a controversial statement made by Interior Minister Abdul Rehman Malik on media.Also, the Premier Gilani extended all the best wishes for national side’s triumph in World Cup semifinal against India.Upon skipper’s complaint, PM Gilani urged minister to explain his statement to cricket team.Later, Abdul Rehman Malik, ringed captain Afridi and expressed excuse over his statement relating to spot-fixing on media.According to government’s statement, the Premier, concluding the discussion, said to Afridi that he would go to Mohali cricket stadium in person to encourage and express solidarity with national cricket team.

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Indian media to get response in arena: Afridi

Updated at: 1932 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket team captain, Shahid Afridi repulsing the criticism of Indian media, said the national team will respond to the Indian media with its performance inside the arena, Geo News reported Monday.Rehman Malik (Interior Minister) should not have given a statement regarding matck fixing on the occasion of World Cup,” Shahid Afridi said while speaking in Geo News’ program “Score” via telephone. However, he added that players mostly prefer to speak with one another instead of listening to news or reading newspapers.He said Pakistani players are ‘quite satisfied’ in India in all respects. There is no security issue here, he added.We will respond to the Indian media’s criticism with our performance in the stadium,” the Pakistan skipper asserted.Shahid Afridi said the players are well aware of the significance of this match and the team is well-prepared to take on India in the semi final on March 30 in Mohali. “The team’s hopes are high to defeat India,” he added.With reference to Shoaib Akhter’s inclusion in the squad, he said a decision is yet to be made. “We want Shoaib who can pull out a strong 10-over spell and not one who can last for only three-four overs,” he added.

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Pak-India semi final: Players at the practice nets

Updated at: 1615 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011
MOHALI: With two days to go for the ‘mother of all matches” between Pakistan and India, the teams are trying their best to focus on the game at hand and to go about their practice as business as usual. The Pakistani players were out at practice for the big game at Punjab cricket stadium here Monday. Nearly all the players were seen practicing at the nets more than one-and-a-half hour.After two days of continue practice, the players also focused on physical fitness today, but Misbah and Younis carried out batting practice while pacemen Umer Gul, Shoaib Akhtar, Wahab Riyaz and Abdul Razaq bowled with full rhythms

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Gul hopes Akhtar can ease pace burden

Updated at: 1458 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011
 MOHALI: Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul hopes Shoaib Akhtar is given one last chance to show what he can do against India in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final.Akhtar, who will retire from international cricket after the World Cup, has featured in just three matches during Pakistan's run to the semi-finals.And it seemed his last outing at this level would be a wretched return of one for 70 in a 110-run group stage thrashing by New Zealand in Pallekelle three weeks ago.However, Akhtar's return -- and the result itself -- might have been decidely different had not erratic wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal dropped the simplest of catches off the express quick when New Zealand's Ross Taylor, who made a match-winning century, was still in single figures.A clearly irate Akhtar never recovered his composure and a tournament return of three wickets at more than 40 apiece tells its own story.Nevertheless Gul, who has taken 14 wickets at an impressive average of 14.50 at this World Cup, said Monday he would welcome the return of the 35-year-old Akhtar for the winner-takes-all clash.Shoaib Akhtar is an experienced bowler who has performed well against India. If he plays, it will take some of the pressure off me. When he was not there, there was a lot of pressure on me.And he insisted Akhtar had not been sidelined.The team management is not angry with Shoaib Akhtar. He has been rested for a few games to find fitness and form but has been practising now for two to three days.However, the 26-year-old Gul -- one of the world's best reverse-swing bowlers -- said he'd been getting used to open the bowling at the urging of Pakistan coach Waqar Younis, himself once an outstanding fast bowler.For the last two to three years, Waqar Younis has been telling me to get prepared to use the new ball in the World Cup. I have returned to my best form by bowling with the new ball again," Gul explained.Gul could well have been the 'third seamer' if Pakistan had come into the World Cup with the new-ball duo of Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.But the pair, along with former Test captain Salman Butt, were banned for their roles in last year's 'spot-fixing' scandal in England.The past five to six months have seen a lot of pressures and scandals," said Gul.We have done well against South Africa and winning both the Tests and one-dayers in New Zealand was a creditable effort.In the dressing room, players are supporting each other and there is a lot of unity Wednesday's match will be the first between the two Asian cricket giants on Indian soil since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and Gul said: "In both countries people want to see the teams play each other. Relations will be better if the teams play each other more often. Fans can't stand defeat but we have won six of seven matches so far and hope to play our best cricket against India."

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Mohali clash: Aisam, Bopanna divided

Updated at: 1350 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011

NEW DELHI: India's Rohan Bopanna and his Pakistani tennis doubles partner Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi insisted on Monday that the World Cup semi-final between their two nations will not shatter their friendship.Bopanna and Qureshi, who have used their on-court careers to also promote their "Stop War Start Tennis" campaign, hope the clash in Mohali won't spill over into their ongoing tournament commitments in Miami.It's easy to play tennis with him, but I hope we don't play a match on the same day as the cricket match," Bopanna said.It will be an interesting match. All of India will stop working to watch it. I'm backing India and I hope they go through to final in Mumbai.Qureshi, whose friendship with Bopanna stretches back 16 years, said that if they could watch the game on TV in the US, then they would sit together and watch it.I want Pakistan to win. They have never beaten India in a World Cup match but they have a better overall record," he said.Picking a favourite is not easy, but I have a gut feeling that Pakistan will cause an upset.Rohan and I have been friends for 16 years. Nothing against him, but I'll be supporting Pakistan and not his team.Both men insisted that whatever direction their two nations' political rivalries may take, tensions do not spill over into their relationship.I see him as another human being trying to do well in his career. He's helping me and I'm trying to do the same.Indian tennis star Sania Mirza, who is married to former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, had already admitted that there was a domestic battle for supremacy going on.I support India and Shoaib will support Pakistan as usual! The war is on," Mirza wrote on her Twitter account from Miami.Mirza, 24, married Malik in Hyderabad in April last year amid huge hype surrounding the love-struck cross-border sport stars.The last time they played in Mohali I watched the match live. What a semi-final on the line. Wish I could be there," read another tweet.It's really exciting," Mirza said. "It's the blockbuster we were all hoping for. I wish I could be there. This would have been perfect as a final, but a semi-final is good enough.There are a lot of other things involved other than cricket. India-Pakistan is a battle. Maybe India has an edge.In Melbourne, meanwhile, Indian Formula One driver Narain Karthikeyan, a close friend of superstar batsman Sachin Tendulkar, was still revelling in India's quarter-final win over three-time defending champions Australia.At least we smashed the Aussies," said Karthikeyan.Members of the Force India team said they will be backing Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team in Wednesday's game.There is an exchange of communication with Dr Vijay Mallya (team owner) and the team during matches and, of course, our support is with India," said Bob Fernley, the vice-principal of Force India.We know a number of the Indian players through our association and our thoughts and best wishes will be with the team next week."

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Angry fans clash with police in Mohali

Updated at: 1334 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011

MOHALI: Angry protestors hurled stones and clashed with police outside the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on Monday in the run up to Wednesday's Pak-India Cricket World Cup semi-final. Baton-wielding police and security forces on horseback tried to push back an estimated 1,000-strong crowd as a protest outside the stadium turned ugly. Witness said seven people were arrested and taken away in a police van. Injured men were lying on the grounds after they tried to escape the police action while women dressed in traditional salwar kameez suits were seen running for cover. A heavy security presence has surrounded the 30,000 seat stadium ever since the two neighbouring countries set up the hotly anticipated showdown last week. Local police told the protest was unconnected to the shortage of tickets that has angered fans in several Indian cities over the past five weeks. Last month's violence in Bangalore erupted after tens of thousands of fans who had camped overnight outside the38,400-seat M Chinnaswamy Stadium were told all 7,000 tickets allocated for public sale for the Feb. 27 India v England game had been sold. Police also used batons to control the angry fans on that occasion and similar scenes were witnessed in Nagpur on March 8 in the lead up to India's group match with South Africa.Ticket sales for the Feb. 19-April 2 tournament have proven to be a major headache for Indian organisers, who are unable to meet demand for the high-profile matches, especially those featuring the home team as well as the April 2 final in Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. (Reuters)

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Pak-India semifinal: Mohali declared no-fly zone

Updated at: 1301 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011
CHANDIGARH: With the fever touching the skies ahead of Pak-India semifinal, the mother of all matches, in Mohali, Indian government was taking all possible security measures to secure the Wednesday's encounter to be attended by the top leadership of both the countries.Anti-aircraft guns have been placed and Mohali has been declared a no-fly zone. Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters are on standby for air surveillance and fighter jets at Ambala.A multi-tier security is in place involving special commandos and other Indian security agencies. An agency is tasked with air surveillance and it's expected to use Israeli-made unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).Close to 3000 policemen will patrol the area and anti-aircraft guns will be used. The city has been declared a no-fly zone.

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Police out in force for Pak-India clash

Updated at: 1256 PST,  Monday, March 28, 2011

MOHALI: Police were out in even greater numbers in and around the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium just 48 hours out from the India-Pakistan World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.An already high-profile encounter between the rivals was given added security status when Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani accepted an invitation from India counterpart Manmohan Singh to attend the match.It will be the first game between the two teams on Indian soil since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.It has since emerged that local police received anonymous tips claiming there was a bomb at the PCA Stadium, with the Hindustan Times reporting that a total of four calls were made from the same phone number on Sunday.Police, with anti-explosive equipment and sniffer dogs searched the ground while the India team trained on the outfield.Such inspections have become common ahead of major matches at cricket grounds around the world in recent years in response to perceived terror threats.India's training session, which finished with a game of volleyball, did not conclude until dusk on Sunday.Meanwhile Pakistan, who like India started their training session with an enthusiastic game of football, resorted to more traditional methods on Monday as their bowlers were put through their paces out in the middle.Noticeably, the two teams had trained on opposite sides of the ground, with one security officer saying: "This is Hindustan (India) and that is Pakistan.Around 3,000 police will patrol Wednesday's match with some 2,000 expected to be deployed in and around the 30,000-capacity PCA Stadium on matchday.An estimated 1,000 police have already descended on the luxury Hotel Taj in nearby Chandigarh where both teams are staying, a force which includes Indian army commandos.The game, which takes place in the border state of Punjab, has already sparked a flurry of political activity.Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul-Haq welcomed Gilani's attendance, saying: "It's a good thing, no pressure. He's helping to support us.And I think it's a good gesture from the Indian Prime Minister that he invites him to come here and watch the game.Elsewhere the frantic scramble for hotel rooms and tickets showed no signs of slackening, even though the PCA had insisted as early as last Tuesday that the 14,000 available tickets had been sold, with the rest in the hands of the ICC.However, there have been numerous reports of a thriving black market in tickets with prices rocketing so that a 5,000-rupee ($112) ticket was being sold for as much as 25,000 rupees ($560).Meanwhile there are also concerns that as many as 7,000 scanned or fake tickets could be in circulation, leading to fears that numerous fans could be turned away at the gates on Wednesday.For a match as big as this one, we cannot do anything about black market tickets," said PCA joint secretary GS Walia.As far as we are concerned, we only gave the tickets to those who stood in the queues and bought them.

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