Cricket World Cup Semi-final India vs.Pakistan in Toronto

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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The news is in: India beats Pakistan. Unfortunately, somebody has to lose so somebody can win, but the Guardian said it best with the second World Cup semi-final turned out to be an excellent game of cricket. India now has two days to rest up for the big finale when they face off against Sri Lanka for the final game of 2011 in Mumbai.
 
Fans in Toronto
In my Canadian hometown, the enthusiasm for the game was unbridled. Many were up bright and early if not in the middle of the night to go to several venues in the city offering televised coverage of this historic match. Hundreds showed up at the University of Toronto to join together at the student centre to share the triumph and defeat. The Fox and Fiddle on Wellesley played host to the fans as people filed in before 5am to watch the semi-final together. The Gerard cinema was showing the match on its screens and some restaurants in the area were open with their TVs tuned in. Toronto is a long way from the action in Mohali, India but there is no less excitement over the drama of the world cup.
 
I’m sick
I had to laugh reading the reports in various newspapers. Apparently there seemed to be an epidemic of some sort as people phone in sick in both India and Pakistan. Really? I wonder why.
 
The Globe and Mail amusingly described how India was calling in sick, afflicted with a festering case of cricket fever.
 
Pakistan, predictably, is also declaring an unofficial national TV-watching holiday. Sri Lanka has pretty much shut down too, since its team won in the other semi Tuesday over New Zealand, and will play in the first-ever all-South-Asian championship match Saturday. If you do business in South Asia, well, don’t expect anyone to take your calls.
 
The political side of the game
Considering how tense things are between the two countries, it seems like an unusual change in diplomatic circles to see Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani receive a direct invitation from his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh to attend the game. Will this lead to further discussions? A thaw in the chilly relations?
 
Reuters reported on the disappointment in Pakistan but the diplomatic significance of the game was not lost on the people.
 
"I guess we will have to wait for another four years to win the World Cup. But I hope with this match relations with India will improve and we can resume playing bilateral cricket matches," said Iqbal Haider, a senior politician and senior official of the human rights commission.
 
If there is a political breakthrough, cricket may achieve for India and Pakistan what table tennis did for the US and China.
 
Final Analysis
Will there be a final analysis? I am certain sports fans are going to be examining this one up close, looking at the video coverage, and pondering every aspect of the game. Check out Aman Dhandra’s article "India Knock Off Rival Pakistan in Cricket World Cup Semi-final" for his take on the proceedings as you comb through the Internet for that inexhaustible supply of sports trivia on the game.
 
I’m certain there will be celebrating everywhere in the world tonight, but I’m betting the hearty souls who were up in the early morning (Or was that the middle of the night?) in Toronto may just be running out of steam this evening and possibly hitting the sack early. After all, we have to be well rested for Saturday.
 
NewsX Live – Mar 30/2010
Gilani invites PM to Pakistan
After the dinner hosted by the Prime Minister for the visiting Pakistani Prime Minister’s delegation, foreign secretary Nirupama Rao addressed the media. Rao said Manmohan Singh once again stressed the need for an atmosphere away from terror. She also said that Pakistani Prime Minister has invited Manmohan Singh to Pakistan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSrOJnq6h6Y
 
NewsX Live – Mar 30/2010
Singh, Gilani meet at Mohali for Indo- Pak match
There were unprecedented scenes over in Mohali with the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan greeting the players from both countries before the match began. Despite the incredible excitement at the stadium it’s going to be a packed day for the two heads of government.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXny8kTPZ7o

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