The big clash between India and Pakistan is expected to be the highly viewed and much anticipated match in the ICC World Cup 2011. India will take on Pakistan in the 2nd semi-final match of the World Cup tournament today at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, Chandigarh.

This is the first meet of India and Pakistan after the Mumbai Taj hotel attacks. However, this match will showcase the bitter rivalry and common bonds between the estranged nuclear-armed neighbors. Regional harmony and national pride are on the line with the event seized by Indian Prime minister, Manmohan Singh as an opportunity for some cricket diplomacy to improve frosty ties between Islamabad and Delhi.

Recollecting the history of the battles between the two countries, India and Pakistan had clashed four times in the World Cup matches. India was never beaten by Pakistan in World cups and this might be the additional advantage for the Indian team.

India and Pakistan first met in the 1992 World Cup where India scored a lower score of just 216 for 7; Sachin scored 54 runs. Pakistan was all-out for 173 runs and Sachin has been named as the Man of the Match. During the 1996 World Cup, India scored 287 for 8, where NS Sidhu made 93 runs and was named Man of the Match. One of the biggest clash between the players of two countries is that the drama between Aamer Sohail and Venkatesh Prasad. After hitting four, he starts running his mouth and asks Prasad to fetch the ball. The next ball hits the wickets and he will be sent out of the ground and the final result is that Pakistan looses.

Remembering the 1999 World Cup match between India and Pakistan, India was bowled out for 227 for 6, where Dravid made 61 and Azharuddin made 59 from his bat. Although it was a lower score on the board, but they managed to win the game in the stylish manner. Pakistan was clean swept for 180 runs. The match at Centurion Park was nevertheless a small one. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat and with the fantastic batting performance by Saeed Anwar (101), the team had able to get 273 runs on the board for the loss of seven wickets. But fortunately, it was Sachin's day. Although he did not make century against Pakistan, but he scored 98 runs from 75 balls by making Shoaib Akhtar to see the stars in the sky during the day time. The match was then followed by Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh who made 44 runs and 50 runs and there by heading the team to victory.

The second semi-final match was wrapped up by 2000 police and paramilitary personnel around the 30000 capacity venue. The productivity of all the companies is surely to go down today not only in India, but also in Pakistan. However, the Chief Minister of Pakistan has promised that each team member will be gifted with 25 acres of land, if they beat India.

The match will be commenced from 2:30 pm local time (09:00 GMT) and the winner will meet the Saturday's ICC World Cup final against Sri Lanka.