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Two teams with enough history to fill several books will meet in what is sure to be a packed Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali tonight.
Pakistan and India have been fierce rivals on and off the field, with the political wars that have raged over Kashmir the catalyst for bad blood between the two nations for many years.
Security has been increased ahead of their World Cup semi-final clash, which will be Pakistan's first match on Indian soil since the 2008 Mumbai bombings.
The reminder that it is a cricket match was sent out by Pakistan team manager Intikham Alam who recently stated: "We have come here to play cricket. This is not a war field."
Tensions will be running high as the two sides battle for the right to play Sri Lanka in the final and the chance to win a second World Cup title.
While India have been favourites for this tournament it is Pakistan who, along with Sri Lanka, were the most impressive team through the group stage.
Pakistan ended Australia's 34-game winning streak, before India knocked the defending champions out in the quarter-finals. Shahid Afridi's men looked more impressive in their defeat of Australia.
India's form has been scratchy and the tie with England and the loss to South Africa hardly look like good form. But they do have the added motivation of wanting to give Sachin Tendulkar a World Cup title in what is likely to be his last tournament.
Pakistan will rely heavily upon their spinners, especially Afridi. Pakistan's captain is the leading wicket taker for the tournament and will be keen to help his side over their biggest rivals. His battle with the likes of Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh is likely to be pivotal.
The biggest battle for Pakistan could be with history, as in four attempts they have never beaten India in a World Cup. This may be one of their best opportunities to change that statistic.
Key Players:
India - Yuvraj Singh: The skilled middle-order batsman has had plenty of ups and downs throughout his career, but this World Cup has definitely been a success. Yuvraj has an average of 144 and a strike rate of 86 with the bat at this World Cup, and he also averages 48 for his career against Pakistan. However his average on this, his home ground, is just 23.
This tournament also saw Yuvraj also became the first left-arm spinner to take five wickets in a World Cup match when India beat Ireland.
Pakistan - Kamran Akmal: The old adage 'catches win matches' so often rings true and in big matches there is almost always one which can turn the course of a game.
Early on in this tournament Pakistan was considering dropping Akmal, so poor was the standard of his keeping. Since then he has improved dramatically, but the fear and the technical holes in his wicket-keeping still exist. Pakistan fans would have to be nervous, especially if the likes of Tendulkar or Virendar Sehwag knick one.
What Akmal has excelled at is opening the batting and getting Pakistan off to a quick start. Against a bowler like Zaheer Khan that skill will be key.
Path to the quarters:
India: def Bangladesh by 87 runs, tied with England, def Ireland by five wickets, def Netherlands by five wickets, lost to South Africa by three wickets, def West Indies by 80 runs, def Australia by five wickets.
Pakistan: def Kenya by 205 runs, def Sri Lanka by 11 runs, def Canada by 46 runs, lost to New Zealand by 110 runs, def Zimbabwe by seven wickets, def Australia by four wickets, def West Indies by ten wickets.
Last ten: Five victories each.
At Mohali: India have won 55 percent of all matches here, while Pakistan have won one third of theirs.
Prediction: Pakistan to record a famous victory
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Originally Posted by Sunde91
PAYTON20 gave onetrickpony 3 SBR Point(s) for this post.
wonder what they will be saying when paki win " the game was fixed" 
