Update: Dawn.com invites its readers to be a part of its first ever Global Blog and share their experiences by blogging in real time.
No matter where you are, just as long as you’re tuned in to the live coverage of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 India vs Pakistan semi-final, here is your chance to provide your analysis, set the field, live commentate, share pictures and videos, predict the outcome of the match and have your say as Pakistan takes on India in what promises to be a cracking showdown.
For details visit Live: Pakistan vs India
The prospect itself is so hot that it does not require you to employ the art of phrasing and utilise your gift of gab in order to have your say, but have your say you must because its Pakistan versus India and the cricket fever doesn’t get any hotter than this! This is exactly why we at dawn.com would like to invite you to have your say and let it out your way regarding the biggest event, need I say, bigger than the World Cup final that the cricket crazy world is about to witness.
You can send us your critical analysis in the form of a blog post (blog@dawn.com) or shout out in a comment. You can also tweet at us @dawn_com or leave your comments on our Facebook page and we will feature it here along with all the other contributions from our readers. We’ll be challenging our own producers to come up with interesting content on the epic event to be held in the near future but we want you to have your say as well. Compose a song, make a webcam video cheering your team, or send us an audio visual slideshow! Do something and we’ll put it up for the world to see.
The internet has become an intense driving force in modern times as recent events have shown. Fuelled by the voices of the online population, this time around Pakistan vs India is bigger than ever! So, don’t miss out on this opportunity to have your say, your way, and let it rip. However, we do advise you, for the sake of “good sportsmanship” to refrain from the “free and frank exchanges of views on female relatives” which has always been an essential part of the India-Pakistan rivalry, as alluded to by Cricinfo.
P.S. Our friends from across the border are equal contributors to debates on our website, so let us be insightful towards content vouching India triumphing over Pakistan and not forget that as fans, what we’re really celebrating is the spirit of cricket.
P.P.S. The winner of this competition (it’s not really a competition, it’s just an opportunity for you to rant out whichever way you want) will get the chance to watch the Pakistan vs India Semi-Final of the ICC World Cup 2011 live on our competitor’s television channel!
The views expressed by the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
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Featured Comments
Taimur Sikander says, “This is what Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik had to say about the Pakistan-India semi-final on March 30: “I had given a warning yesterday (Sunday) that there should be no match fixing. This time I am watching it very closely. If any such thing happens, we will take action,” Malik told reporters in Karachi Monday.
“They should continue the practice and go to bed early, rise up according to their schedule and dedicate themselves to the game for Pakistan,” he added.
Mr Malik, we are also watching you very closely. Go to bed early, eat your cereal and focus on your job.
We’re sure it must be a tough job, picking out the right tie and handkerchief combination.
It is understood that you have since called and apologised to Pakistan’s captain, Shahid Afridi about your earlier remarks.
“A section of (the) press has twisted my statement out of context, and wrongly projected my words,” Malik posted on Twitter, Monday night.
You know what they say about those who speak too much…
P.S. The people do in fact trust the players more than they trust you, as is being said by many a Pakistani politician.”
Shagufta Naaz sent us a short piece titled “War Games”:
“‘Pakistan and India go to war in the semi-final’ screams the headline of a leading Urdu daily (incidentally, one of the same group that has been shouting itself hoarse in the pursuit of Hope for Peace). “It’s war!” say my friends as they gear up in green T-shirts (the price of which keeps rising as the date of the match draws closer). “It’s war!” state all the commentators, analysts and of course, the ubiquitous morning show hosts. Oh yes, a match between India and Pakistan can never be just that: a game between two teams; thanks to over 60 years of a very complex, painful history, any meeting in the ground is seen as yet another encounter with the enemy. It’s not just cricket, it’s war.
Excuse me, but am I the only one who finds this casual use of the ‘W’ word distasteful? Yes, winning against India is a matter of pride and honour (or so they say), more so even than winning against the Aussies, even though it was an Australian who called our captain ‘idiotic.’ What would our reaction have been if an Indian had said that I wonder?
But to come back to the impending semi-final, feelings are running high on both sides of the border — and even further ashore. Students studying abroad report that fights between Pakistani and Indian students erupt daily on campuses, even before the two sides have come together in the ground. These are kids, many of whom may not even have seen their ‘homeland.’ Certainly none of them lived through the horrors of Partition, the trials of the ’65 and ’71 wars or perhaps even the tense days of Kargil. So where is all this anger coming from?
Perhaps all Pakistanis are born with an anti-India gene; perhaps Indians too have an anti-Pakistan gene; and perhaps venting this anger at a cricket match is better than taking it out in a more deadly manner. But just for the record — war is about death, destruction and unimaginable misery. A cricket match is about fun, excitement and, if we’re lucky, a reason to celebrate. Let’s try to keep the difference clear.”
Comments on Facebook
Chinmay Sharma says, “Many ppl have said that this is just a game but lets be reasonable it is actually a war on sports field. India and Pakistan are playing after 4 years. It doesn’t mean that ppl will kill each other but its a kind of satisfying frustration of an uneasy relationship like tom and jerry. So far but so close.”
Muhammad Hasan says, “Clash of rivals, but with manners and ethics. 
bats not guns, balls not artilary crackers.”
Raahil Faraaz says, “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 all pakistani to visit Mohali and join us and the millions of fans from our two countries to watch the match.”
Zia Ullah Akhunzada says, “It ll be more than a cricket match.Pressure will be on both teams.A great chance for Pakistan to take the 1996 revenge.”
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INDIA as in past always defeated pak in world cup.South africa always loose in knock outs. So accept reality and pak shoud surrender even before practice.
You are a silly guy making nonsensical statements.
This semi-final is the real final. I hope the best team wins. My heart goes for Pakistan but let’s face it India has a great batsmen line-up. If Pakistani bowlers bowl it right then Pakistan has a chance to win. A 300+ score would be a deciding factor. Good luck to both.
when india won from australia in the QF i congratulated one of my indian friends saying, i congratulated you now and hope you’ll do the same when Pak will win the semi…;-)
ICC ODI Ranking: India 2nd, Pakistan 6th
2011 World Cup Batting: India 3 of top 5 scorers, all averaging more than 50. Akmal, top Pakistan scoreer is at 36th position.
2011 World Cup Bowling: Afridi 1st. Zaheer 2nd.
Irrespective of the result of the match, all cricket fans will be proud of Pakistan Team’s performance despite the new and young players and the problems Pakistan cricket has been having for the last couple of years.
Whichever team wins, it is a VICTORY for the entire subcontinent. The same blood flows in the veins of Indians and Pakistanis. Hope this will start enduring peace between brothers and sisters on both sides of the border.
I hope we witness a great game that will live in our memories for many years to come. I also want to see a final head to head between Sachin v Shoaib. Being from India I hope India win (and I think they will) however it will be the best team on the day who will deserve to win. Enjoy the ride.
So far my perdictions about all the games are 100 percent correct,,about indo-pak game i am sure about india will win easily…but good to see indo-pak match,,,Goal is to promote indo-pak brotherhood. One day insha-Alla we will be toghether again.
What predictions have you made of what matches??? and did they all come true or was there failure as well???
BRO R U AN ASTROLOGER.
This is a tough one. Pakistani team is very talented, but it is high variance team – 50% of the times, they are unbeatable (e.g. against West Indies), and the for rest 50% of the times, the lesser said the better (e.g., against New Zealand). Thus, I would give either side a 50% chance of winning.
Being an Indian, I would naturally want India to lift the world cup; but if not, I would rather have a South Asian Team lift it (Sri Lanka or Pakistan). And I am so glad that the racist Australians are out of the world cup.
May the better team win!
may all blessings be upon that team which wins with the most runs. if all else fails…they will play gulee danda on the pitch. may the balls be hit hard.
We will Miss. Mohammed Amir..! :/
Hi Zeresh
Well said my brother. I am with you. The fantatic fans of both the countries are not realising the fact that this is not a war between us nations. It is just a sport. I actually like to see one day a combined India+pakistan cricket team taking on the entire world. I know its a dream that may never be fulfilled.
Thats all I can say.
Ankit
30th March is too far away. I think we should request Indian friends to have in the meantime a warm-up match as an appetizer to real show on 30th. I can’t wait to see Indians burning effigies of own players on 30th night as i’m 100% sure Pakistan is going to win this. Pakistan is under no pressure at all whereas Indians under immense home pressure to win against pak and play in the final. I predict final between NewZeland/Pak and Pakistan to win with 7 wickets….
Yes. And to back that up, Pakistan has decimated India ll the time they played in Mohali.
I hope if Pakistan wins, all Indians support and cheer for Pakistan in the finals. And likewise if India wins, Pakistanis support and cheer for India in the final. Above all I wish International cricket resumes in Pakistan and terrorism takes a back seat in India and Pakistan (well actually terrorism should be given no seat).
This win will mean so much more to Pakistan than to India. With all the bad news hitting the country all the time, this would certainly lift their spirits. To beat India, at this time, means so much more to Pakistan that beating Pakistan does to India. The Indians are in it to win the world cup. But as we have seen with South Africa and Australia, anything can happen. Upsets galore in this world cup, not beat any particular team. So, India may be beaten. But I am hoping otherwise.
A British national of Indian origin, I hold a balanced view on all thing India and Pakistan. Both countries are inhabited by highly emotional people on this planet, they get carried away easily and in such emotional state say and do things that are totally uncalled for.
We must remember it is only a game. We have paid to watch the match through our subscription to TV channels. We expect the players of both teams to give value for our money. as for me, I support both teams, I will applaud the best one and hail the one who wins, no matter which team wins. Thing to remember is, the best team of the day will win the game.
So, just enjoy the game, applaud the players of both teams who perfom best and hail the winner; all without emotion.
I can bet india will win the semi final.
The last thing as a Pakistani we don’t want is to lose the match intentionally, in return of handsome amount. Whole nation will be praying for the comprehensive victory of Pakistan and InsaAllah we will surely win the semi as well as the final.
Yes. Keep an eye on Kamran Akmal’s gloves.
Who ever will win Mohali contest for sure will lift the cup at Mumbai. Good luck to both the teams. Let’s enjoy the cricket on Wonderful Wednesday.
Should be an exciting game. Both teams have opposing strengths, Pak in bowling and India’s in batting so it will be one heck of a game to watch.
Pakistan should drop Wahab and play Shoaib. An injured limping unfit Shoaib is 10 times better than Wahab any day. Anddddd, Shoaib is a big game player. You give him an arena and crowd and he will perform no matter how injured he is. He’s just that kind of player. Wahab leaked runs whenever he was on even against West Indies and Australia. Two games that Pakistan was on top throughout. Iif it’s a maater of team chemistry then I would say that Shoaib slap Kamran Akmal and his brother a few more times, then apologize and we get on with the game. Both these brothers deserve no respect IMHO and we don’t need to sit Shoaib out on THEIR account. Let’s give the old lion a rousing farewell!
Goodluck Pakistan. Best wishes to India’s supporters.
I believe India-Pakistan matches don’t have the same compulsions as it used to in sharjah or toronto, and for all the good reasons. As an Indian, I would love to see Pakistan loose (that should be clear) but I have come to respect the Pakistani team a lot over the last month or so.
After the depressing and shocking match fixing scandal, I counted Pakistan out for a long time but it’s unbelievable how they came back. Awesome team Pakistan..but we will still beat you.:)
Upar chatri..neechay saya..bhag lay DHONI, Laala (AFRIDI) ayaa……..:)
When this Wednesday will come- every minute is like hours long, pulse is growing, heart beat is increasing as days passes, while in Toronto – we all Pakistani, Indian and Sri Lankan friends (we live as a family here) will be watching the show together. I will be favoring and praying for Pakistan, Indians friends for their nation and Srilankan friends will be ejoying the tension that we both will be going through. It will be kind of stadium environment, whoever wins should be after a lot of hard work and thrill. Good luck to both the countries.
Love thy neighbours.
two great cricket teams of the world with the supports of their emotional countrymen…..facing the same social,financial,educational and economical problems…..let anyone win…india or pak…but aaman ka chakka jaroor lagna chahiye…..let their be peace….ma salama….aameen.
Pakistan and India, two flowers in the lap of Himalayas; my heart cries if anyone loses!