ICC Cricket World Cup 2011: Gilani accepts Manmohan's invitation to watch semi-final

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has accepted an invitation from his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh to watch the cricket World Cup semi-final match between India and Pakistan in Mohali March 30. Gilani will "informally" meet Manmohan Singh during the match and a formal meeting will be held after the match in which bilateral matters will be discussed, Geo News reported Sunday citing official sources. The sources said the two leaders will also hold discussions on "cricket diplomacy" to improve bilateral relations. Officials of Pakistan's sports ministry and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will also attend the match. Manmohan Singh Friday invited Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Gilani to watch the semi-final match. The match will be held a day after home secretary-level talks between th

e two countries March 28-29.

Mohali opens doors to Pak fans Chandigarh welcomes visitors and Pak supporters from across the border for the India-Pak match Chandigarh residents have opened up their homes to welcome visitors from across India and abroad coming to Mohali for the India-Pak semi-final match today. The city's government has asked its residents to offer vacant rooms for 2 days to visitors who have come to witness the historic clash between the teams. So far, residents have responded well are being cooperative. They understand that hotel rooms are chockablock and visitors are pouring in every single minute. Plus, locals have also greeted Pakistani cricket fans at the Wagah border. Pakistani visitors have also shown their eagerness to mingle with their brethren across the border. For many, this is a unique opportunity to spread the message of peace. "The purpose of our visit is to show solidarity with both the South Asian teams that have made it so far in the World Cup. We bring with us a message of hope for a peaceful South Asia and pray that our friendly gesture furthers the noble cause of fostering a spirit of camaraderie ," says Saeeda Diep, a peace activist and the founder of Institute for Peace and Secular Studies , Lahore. AK Malhotra, head of Chandigarh’s hospitality wing, said that the government wanted to give a warm welcome to all guests and people have responded extremely positively. "Most of them do not want to charge any rent but we have left it (applicable rent) to the property owners," Malhotra said.