New Delhi/Islamabad:
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has accepted his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh's invitation to watch the World Cup semi-final between the cricket teams of the two countries in Mohali on March 30.
The decision, reportedly taken following a meeting between Gilani and Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari late last night, has been conveyed to the Indian government.
On Friday evening, Dr Singh sent this note to Gilani and Zardari. "I propose to be at Mohali to watch the World Cup semi-final match between India and Pakistan to be held on 30th March. 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."
Several reports in Pakistan media said Gilani would informally meet Dr Singh during the match and a formal meeting would be held after the game.
'The Nation' newspaper quoted its sources as saying that Gilani would pay a two-day visit to India for a fresh round of "cricket diplomacy." It said that Gilani's decision to accept Singh's invitation has been conveyed to New Delhi through diplomatic channels. Till last night, there were reports that Gilani and Zardari may have deputed Farooq Naek, the Chairman of Senate or upper house of Parliament, to visit India.
This is the first time in World Cup history that India and Pakistan are going to play against each other at the semi-final level.
The last time they met was in 2003 at the knock-out stages. Every time the two teams have clashed before in World Cup, India has won. (With PTI Inputs)