Pak fans, Afridi's brother bat for cordial Indo-Pak relations

A number of Pakistani fans reached Mohali on Wednesday to support their team in the high-voltage semifinal clash of the World Cup against arch-rival India and batted for cordial relations between the two nations.

"It feels great to be part of such electric atmosphere and to see India and Pakistan play against each other," Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi's brother, Mushtaq Afridi, told PTI here.

He said that the two nations should play more often and believed that cricket can help normalise relations between the two neighbours.

About the tremendous hype surrounding the match and presence of Indian and Pakistani Prime Ministers besides a number of other dignitaries, Mushtaq said that it was good to see the two premiers come to watch the match here.

"We hope relations between the two countries will improve now," he said.

Kashif Abbasi and Aamir Hayat Khan from Islamabad in Pakistan felt they were lucky enough to come here and be part of the "historic moment".

About the hype, Abbasi said that it was good in a way as it will help team perform even better.

Cricketing ties between India and Pakistan were suspended after the Mumbai terror attack in 2008.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera, Principal Secretary to Governor of Pakistan Punjab, who was accompanying the Governor's family, had to spend nearly 30 minutes looking for their earmarked seats.

"We have been moving around for a while, but it is ridiculous that nobody knows our seating arrangement," he lamented.

After the matter was brought to the notice of senior police officers, they were escorted to the seats reserved for them in the main block of the stadium.

There was also a glitch in the entry gate of the 1B gate area minutes after Indian Bollywood star Aamir Khan had passed through.

A few guests had to wait as people could not get in or move out.