Mohali, Mar 30: The D-day is here and the entire sub-continent will come to a grinding halt when India takes on Pakistan today in the “mother of all matches" at Mohali at the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup 2011.

With a mad clamour for tickets for a match that will be witnessed by celebrities, politicians, leaders and the who's who of India, this is one event that will have people almost coming to blows to catch a piece of the cricketing action. But the organizers seem to be making it difficult for those who have managed to get tickets to watch the cricketing extravaganza.

With snipers, fighter jets, helicopters all on stand by, Mohali resembles a fortress of security. The high profile visitors including the premiers of both India and Pakistan, Yusuf Raza Gilani and Manmohan Singh, political honchos, Bollywood celebrities will also lead to an increase in security arrangements in Mohali.

But commoners better get prepared for a harrowing time when the authorities have directed spectators to start moving to the stadium as early as 6:00 am to reach the venue on time for the match that starts at 2:30pm. Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister has requested ticket holders to reach the venue at least three hours before the game starts. This is in lieu of the multi-tier security barriers that needs to be cleared by the public.

In spite of the this, the organizers have urged spectators to move in as soon as possible. The Mohali stadium is keenly being watched and people are making a beeline for the venue one way or the other. With a capacity of 28,000, Mohali is the place to be when an entire nation waits with baited breath to know the result of a match that is not just a game for many.

OneIndia News