Games don't come much bigger than an India v Pakistan World Cup semi-final, so it's no surprise Mohali, which will host the match on March 30, has become the most sought-after destination in India. The Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh will be there, and so will industry heavyweights, and IPL franchise owners, Mukesh Ambani and Vijay Mallya. Not only is there a mad scramble for tickets on the black market, but all the hotels are reportedly booked within a 25-kilometre radius and there is even a shortage of parking space at the airport for those with private planes.
The stakes for the game were raised (as if a place in the World Cup final was not enough) on Friday when Singh sent a note to Pakistan prime minister Yousuf Gilani, and president Asif Zardari, inviting them both to the contest, the first such gesture since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
"I propose to be at Mohali to watch the World Cup semi-final match between India and Pakistan to be held on 30th March," the note said. "There is huge excitement over the match and we are all looking forward to a great game of cricket that will be a victory for sport. It gives me great pleasure to invite you to visit Mohali and join me and the millions of fans from our two countries to watch the match."
Security
The Chandigarh police are taking no chances with such a high-profile match, and have completely cordoned off the Pakistan team hotel. They have also given the team a list of dos and don'ts during their stay in the city. "More than 1000 policemen have been pressed into service," HS Doon, senior superintendent of Chandigarh Police, told the Telegraph. "We are using jammers and the team has been told to co-operate with us. Any team member, who wishes to go out of the hotel, will have to inform us at least four hours in advance."
An ICC official told ESPNcricinfo that there is an additional buzz in addition to the excitement and passion in Mohali considering India are playing Pakistan. "It is a mother of all finals even if it is just the semis," the official said. It is also understood that the ICC is happy with the security arrangements at the venue. "The level of security that was expected is in place," the official said.
