India, Pak gear up for cricket faceoff

As the diplomatic tussle over 26/11 takes place, the subcontinent's attention is on another kind of India-Pakistan clash -- the one on the cricket field.

The two countries play each other for the first time after the Mumbai terror attack.

Says Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi: "This beautiful country of ours is surrounded from all sides by these forces. We need to stand united against these forces in this hour of crisis or else we will lose our country to them.

The young cricketer's desperate plea fell on deaf ears. Pakistan was isolated by the world's cricketing nations. Four months later, the game's biggest showdown comes ahead of the T 20 world cup.

This one's just a warmup, but nothing can match the excitement of a Indo-Pak battle on the field.

Security has been increased outside the stadium in Oval, London. The game's a complete sellout and tickets are being sold in black.

Says Pakistan cricket team coach Intikhab Alam: "Even if it's a warm-up game, both sides are taking it seriously, as it is preparation for the T20 World Cup. An India-Pakistan match is always special, you don't need to motivate the boys, they get motivated themselves."

But tonight's game is more than just cricket. This is the first time the 2 nations will play cricket after 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

Staunch critics who insisted that the two nations never play each other seem to be toning down their rhetoric.

Says Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports M S Gill: "There is no question of position. Matches are happening which is good, because we should be playing and not fighting."

Wednesday's match is in London where Indians and Pakistanis find it a little easier to live with each other.