Battle royale: Cricket frenzy grips Mohali

Excited spectators, draped in tricolours and holding placards and posters, started queuing up at the gates of the PCA stadium since morning as the city geared up to host the high-voltage World Cup semi-final clash between India and Pakistan amid unprecedented security in Mohali.

With just hours to go for the high-octane clash, the PCA stadium resembled a fortress with heavy security deployed in and around the venue.

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With the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani and a host of other dignitaries from both the countries attending the game, security officials were taking no chances and yet another thorough security check was conducted this morning.

Hundreds of commandos were deployed inside the stadium since morning and the entire VIP enclosure, where the two Prime Ministers and other dignitaries will seat, was sanitised.

Spectators were advised to reach the stadium early so that they are not caught in traffic bottlenecks when the VIP movements start later in the day.

Cricket fans had gathered in huge numbers around the stadium. Some Pakistani fans were also seen waving their country's flags inside and outside the stadium.

India's star batsman Yuvraj Singh has requested the countrymen to inspire the home team by singing the national anthem loudly before their high-profile World Cup semi-final clash Pakistan at the PCA stadium in Mohali on Wednesday.

"Request all people in the stadium to inspire us by singing national anthem loudly," Yuvraj tweeted.

"Jai Hind, Good night," Yuvraj signing off.

- Mohali braced for high-octane Indo-Pak showdown

India will take on Pakistan in the second semi-final of the World Cup in the PCA stadium, which will also be attended by Prime Ministers of both the countries.

After a heavy downpour on Tuesday, bright sunshine greeted the city on Wednesday ahead of the high-profile World Cup semi-final match between India and Pakistan at the PCA stadium.

Heavy rains and thunderstorm lashed Mohali on Tuesday, casting a shadow of doubt over the blockbuster semi-final clash of the World Cup.

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If that was not enough, the Meteorological Department had also forecast a partly cloudy sky to prevail in this region on Wednesday.

However, the Met department said that there is a possibility of light showers later in the evening.

The maximum temperature at Mohali and Chandigarh is hovering in the range of 30-32 degrees Celsius.

The city received a 9.4mm rainfall on Tuesday followed by strong winds which disrupted the normal life.