New Delhi:
When India takes on Pakistan at Mohali on Wednesday, two VVIPs will have to balance their patriotism with some diplomacy in the stands.
Sources say Pakistan's Prime Minister Yusuf Gilani has accepted Dr Manmohan Singh's invitation to watch the semi-final with him.
On Friday evening, Dr Singh sent this note to Mr Gilani and to Pakistan's president, Asif 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."
Indian captain MS Dhoni said on Thursday night after winning against Australia that while he would like his men in blue to treat the Mohali game much like they would any other match, the pressure from the crowds will suffuse the game. Many will say "Win the semi-final, forget about the final," he remarked.
In addition to the Prime Ministers, tickets have already been sold out and are now being offered on the black market for prices starting at Rs 2000. Pakistan has reportedly requested an additional 1500 visas be granted for the game. Government sources say that's unlikely. 5000 visas have been issued to Pakistan on the basis of tickets sold already, and visas take a month to process.
(Read) This is the latest initiative in the cricket diplomacy between the two countries. In 2005, General Prevez Musharraf had come down to Dehi to watch a match with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. In 1987, General Zia-ul-Haq had accepted the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's invitation to Jaipur.