Sports

India hand 29 run defeat to Pakistan, set up final against Sri Lanka

India will now meet Sri Lanka for the final in Mumbai on April 2.

Shaheryar Popalzai March 30, 2011

India beat Pakistan by 29 runs in the second World Cup semi-final in Mohali on Wednesday.

India posted 260-9 and then returned to bowl out Pakistan for 231 in 49.5 overs.

Sachin Tendulkar was the highest scorer for India with 85 runs, Wahab Riaz took six wickets for 46 runs for Pakistan.

India will now meet Sri Lanka for the final in Mumbai on April 2.

End of live updates

50th over

Extreme pressure on Pakistan. Misbah refuses to take a run.

He lifts one up trying to get a big one and he is gone! Caught by Kohli for 56 runs.

Its over, India win the match by 29 runs.

49th over

Munaf Patel bowling to Misbah. Smacked for six straight down the ground.

Seven runs from the over. Pakistan are 231/9.

48th over

Zaheer Khan continues.

Misbah plays him on the offside for four.

Another four straight down the ground from Misbah!

Fourteen runs from the over. Pakistan are now 224/9.

47th over

Nehra bowls to Umar Gul. LBW appeal! Given out. Pakistan take review and the decision stays. Umar Gul goes for 2.

Saeed Ajmal comes in to play.

Just two runs from the over. Pakistan are 210/9.

46th over

Pakistan take the batting power play.

Zaheer Khan bowling.

Misbah smacks him away for four. Too late?

Eight runs from the over. Pakistan are 208/8

45th over

Nehra to Riaz. Two dot balls.

Two more dot balls. Riaz belts under pressure, he tries to smack one away and hits a skier which is caught by Tendulkar. Riaz goes for eight.

Pakistan are now 200/8.

44th over

Harbhajan Singh bowls.

Misbah gets another four playing a reverse sweep.

Seven runs from the over. Pakistan are 199/7.

43rd over

Nehra bowling.

Wahab Riaz is here to play savior. He plays Nehra for four, the fielder can't make it to the boundary.

Eight runs from the over. Pakistan are 192/7.

42nd over

Harbhajan continues. Why is Afridi not taking the power play?

Afridi is gone! Full toss from Harbhajan Singh and tries to hit that one away and is caught by Sehwag. He goes for 19 runs.

Wahab Riaz comes in.

Three runs from the over. Pakistan are 184/7.

41st over

Zaheer Khan continues.

Blogger Imran A Khan discusses how Pakistan stands a good chance at beating India at Mohali. Read it here.

Four runs from the over. Pakistan are 181/6.

Twitter buzz:

gauravbatla Gaurav Batla Dear Afridi you will still remain the best.pakistani player in #cwc2011even if you don't score in this. So please oblige

Balldinho Balldiñho™ Come on Afridi !!!! Its #BoomBoom timeeeee

40th over

Yuvraj Singh bowling his last over.

Misbah finally wakes up from his test match hibernation and plays a reverse sweep for four.

Close one there! Afridi lifted one and Nehra caught it. Honest Nehra says he isn't sure if it carried. TV umpire says it hasn't. Afridi stays.

Nine runs from the over. Pakistan are 177/6.

Pakistan now require 84 from 60 balls.

39th over

Zaheer Khan is back into the attack.

Afridi going for the doubles now.

Five runs from the over. Pakistan are 167/6.

38th over

Yuvraj bowling his ninth over.

Afridi smacks Yuvraj for four on the offside.

Afridi really pushing for the runs. He doesn't plan on giving up it seems.

Eleven runs from the over. Pakistan are 163/6.

37th over

Munaf Patel opens the over with a wide and helps Pakistan crawl to 150 runs.

Razzaq is clean bowled! Munaf Patel trying to wrap things up early. He goes for three runs.

Afridi comes in.

An Indian model has vowed to strip naked if her country wins the cricket World Cup. Read all about it here.

Four runs from the over. Pakistan are 152/6.

36th over

Yuvraj is back.

Nudging the singles here and there. Run rate nearing 8 now.

Two runs from the over, Pakistan are now 148/5. 113 needed from 14 overs.

35th over

Patel bowls to Misbah. Misbah is playing a test match out there.

Two runs from the over. Pakistan are 146/5.

34th over

Harbhajan Singh bowls Umar Akmal off the first ball of the over! Clean bowled, Akmal goes for 29.

Razzaq replaces Akmal.

Two runs from the over and a wicket. Pakistan are 144/5

Twitter buzz:

chamilaya chamila udukumbura Imagine if pakistan had Asif & Amir too... dream bowling lineup!

andrewsam Andrew Sam Misbah has got t20 world cup in his eyes. That steel-y calm determined look.

FaisalKhatib Faisal Khatib Yuvraj is a part time bowler...he should know that and so should the Pakistan team

Drinks

33rd over

Dhoni brings in Munaf Patel to bowl. Just one run from the over. Pakistan are 142/4.

32nd over

Good start to the over, actor Amir Khan gives the crowd something extra to cheer about.

Yuvraj bowls. Six more from Akmal! Akmal teaching Yuvraj a thing or two about batting every over now. Straight down the ground!

Nine runs from the over. Pakistan are 141/4.

31st over

Nehra bowling his seventh over.

Another good over, just two runs from it. Pakistan are 132/4.

Twitter buzz:

lxasad Asad Gondal Umar Akmal is thinking to return to dressing room as fast as he can. Yaar bat to rakh ball key aagey!

sougatabanerjee Sougata Banerjee Misbah was a gonner, but Yuvi ensures that Pak are still with a chance to stay at the refurbished Taj Mahal Hotel!

tailenderSehwag TailenderSehwag I wonder if this'll all hinge on Mr Afridi - run rate mounting, something will give, Afridi will be in, and... then what?

alfishabs Shabbir Jadliwala First six of the innings finally arrived in 80th over of the match..

30th over

Yuvraj Singh to Umar Akmal, smacked away for four! First boundary in a long time. Pakistan needs more of these.

Six!! Second is smacked away for four on the leg-side. Akmal is on fire and lets hope he doesn't get too excited.

Twelve runs from the over. Pakistan are 130/4.

29th over

Nehra back into the attack.

Blogger RA Toori talks about how Pakistanis love to hate India and how this needs to be changed. Read it here.

India is piling up the pressure on Pakistan, just one run from the over. Pakistan are 118/4. The run rate is creeping up to 7 now.

28th over

Yuvraj continues.

Strange happenings in the field! Run out chance and an excited Yuvraj dismantles the wickets with his arm. Umar Akmal is safe.

Five runs from the over. Pakistan are 117/4.

Twitter buzz:

zaheerahmed_pk ZAHEER AHMED I think younas should now take retirement from one day cricket.

divzluvzlampard Divya Kapur Yes. Yes. Keep that going. Let them lose more of their wickets.

rishijyoti Rishi Jyoti I have a feeling that Pakistan are about to unravel

27th over

Harbhajan continures. Umar Akmal came in for Younis Khan. Pakistan crumbling under pressure now?

Six runs from the over. Pakistan are 112/4.

26th over

Yuvraj Singh fishing for more wickets. And he has one! Younis Khan goes Raina takes the catch! He is gone for 13.

Wicket maiden for Yuvraj. Pakistan are 106/4.

25th over

Harbhajan singh bowls to Younis Khan. Two dot balls.

Just three runs off the over. Misbah and Younis bringing things to a halt now. Pakistan are 106/3.

Pakistan require 155 from 150 balls.

Twitter buzz:

clarkyfanzine Andy Clark India's bowlers finally coming to the party. Batting was never gonna get them through every game. Atmosphere being cranked up now.

24th over

Yuvraj Singh bowling his third over.

Pakistan have really slowed it down now.

Yuvraj Singh cleans up Asad Shafiq, he is clean bowled! He goes for 30 runs.

Misbah replaces Shafiq.

Three runs from the over. Pakistan are 103/3.

23rd over

Zaheer Khan bowling to Asad Shafiq. Single

Younis Khan facing. Appeal for LBW, Zaheer Khan looks confident. Umpire says not out. No review taken.

100 runs up for Pakistan and Shafiq plays it on leg for two runs.

Six runs from the over. Pakistan are 100/2.

22nd over

Yuvraj Singh continues.

He bowls a tight over. Just one run from it.

Twitter buzz:

MsWardah W'ard- a our butcher just called to ask what the score is .. God Help Us.

Farhaj Farhaj Newbie, but this can't be good for #Pakistan

MadMona mOna Lisa "Serious sport amounts to war minus the shooting" ~ George Orwell

21st over

Zaheer Khan is back into the attack. Good over from Khan, just four runs from it. Pakistan are 93/2

Click here to read about how Pakistani’s have come up with creative ways to entice the public and unite the country for the match.

20th over

And Yuvraj Singh is going to bowl now. After his batting display, the Indian team is probably hoping he can take a few wickets (he has 11 in the tournament).

Five runs from the over. Pakistan are 89/2. India were 119/2 at this point.

19th over

Harbhajan continues. Pakistan batsmen playing it safe, nudging the ball around for the occasional single.

Four runs from the over. Pakistan are 84/2.

18th over

Nehra bowling.

Blogger Khurram Baig takes a stroll down memory lane and discusses how Pakistan has never beaten India in a world cup match and whether they can change history today. Read it here.

Good over, just three runs from it. Pakistan are 80/2.

Twitter buzz:

GayanMW Gayan Malinda I have a feeling it's Afridi's day. Its now ever never. It Boom or Booo time

seventhsamurai Vijay Venkataramanan Cn we please hire Wasim Akram 2 b India's bowling coach. At least we'll hv a coach who dsnt ask bowlers 2 slow dwn.

ndnbhar Bharathi Rajendran We'll get quick wickets and low runrate! Come on india!!!

17th over

Asad Shafiq joins the party. He lifts one straight down the ground, it passes through Harbhajan's hands and goes straight down the ground for four.

Five runs from the over. Pakistan are 77/2.

16th over

Patel gets Hafeez! Very very stupid shot fro Hafeez, he went across the stumps and try to flick one over leg. Dhoni takes the catch. Haeez is gone for 43.

Younis Khan replaces Hafeez.

Drinks

Two runs from the over. Pakistan are 72/2.

15th over

Harbhajan to Hafeez. Single.

Asad Shafiq faces Harbhajan, smashed on the offside for four!

Seven runs from the over. Pakistan are 70/1.

14th over

Patel bowling to Shafiq.

Maiden over from Patel.

Pakistan are 63/1.

Twitter buzz:

kel_holbeck El Bastardo Is 260 enough? If nz had scored 260 y'day it could have been them in final The answer is WHO KNOWS So stop guessing & stay watching

masoodalams Masood Siddiqui I don't know why m starts believing that 260 is a very good target OMG.

horizonskill Anish Varghese ♡ Dear Dhoni, I'm going to Qutab Minar area; when I return, I would like to see 3 wickets down. Thankyou!!

13th over

Harbhajan continues.

Blogger Said Chaudhry reminisces about the last time Pakistan played and defeated India at Mohali. Read it here.

Just four runs from the over. Pakistan are 63/1.

12th over

Patel bowling his fourth over now.

Hafeez flicks him down leg-side for four!

Five runs from the over. Pakistan are 59/1.

Twitter buzz:

MalangChic Alishba Zarmeen Oh baby, I'm conceiving the cup's baby!! GO #PAKISTAN! GO GREEN! MAKE US ALL MOAN IN BATTING ECSTASY!

Ronssssss Rounak jain Dhoni will regret not picking ashwin today HIS ENTIRE LIFE !

LoshanARV Loshan ARVLOSHAN See the amount of turn this pitch gives to Harbhajan.. Ashwin, You will be missed by India for sure.

11th over

Asad Shafiq faces his first ball as Harbhajan Singh comes into the attack.

Hafeez living dangerously. Drives one straight to Singh and the ball drops just short of him.

Two runs from the over. Pakistan are 54/1.

10th over

Patel is smacked away for four on his first ball. Hafeez is on fire!

Op-ed writer George Fulton talks about how Pakistan and India will go back to being neighbours at war after the match. Read it here.

Hafeez afain, smashes it to the leg, drops just short of the fielder and crosses the boundary for a four.

At this stage India were 73/1.

Eight runs from the over. Pakistan are 52/1.

Ninth over

Zaheer Khan is back into the attack.

Khan strikes! Kamran Akmal is gone and Yuvraj Singh makes up for his duck by taking the catch.

One run and the wicket from the over. Pakistan are 44/1.

Twitter buzz:

clarkyfanzine Andy Clark 300 Pakistanis visible, scattered around the ground. No more than that. A small minority, but vocal all the same

SaadMalik Saad Malik Wow, we desis hate each other so much that we can't even agree on a hashtag for the game. I see

Eighth over

Nehra stands there and watches Hafeez loft one away for four.

Five runs from the over. Pakistan are 43/0.

Seventh over

Munaf Patel returns after bowling a good first over.

Hafeez has had enough batting practice, he takes the aerial route and smashes Patel for four on the offside.

Another four, in the air again and this time its Akmal.

Nine runs from the over. Pakistan are 38/0

Twitter buzz:

msarosh M.Sarosh Ebrahim Nevermind the odd good ever just stay on & keep batting runs will come anyway

iamtushar Tushar Suresh Wow. Whatever happened to the Munaf Patel we know.

Sixth over

Nehra bowling the over. Very tight fielding from the Indians, Sehwag manages to save a few runs off the bat of Hafeez.

Nehra gets a touch on the ball and it hits the wicket! It goes to the third umpire for the review. And Akmal is safe!

Another good over from Nehra.

Op-ed writer Khurram Hussain talks about what would happen if Pakistan loses the match. Read it here.

One run from the over. Pakistan are 29/0.

Fifth over

Munaf Patel comes into the attack now. Dhoni mixing things up a little.

Short ball from Patel, Akmal tries to smack it away and it lands safely just outside the circle, no fielders around to catch that one.

Good over from Patel. Two runs from it. Pakistan are 28/0.

Twitter buzz:

WajihaSaid Wajiha Said rule of thumb: if the stadium is silent, #Pakistan is doing good

jmujtaba Mujtaba Ibrahim Track is keeping it low...Im surprised! need a top class fielding today..boys have to be electrifying

bithack3r Osman #Mohali is the venue for sure but There are+30,000 people in Qaddafi Cricket Stadium #Lahore, more then in there are in #Mohali

Fourth over

Nehra bowling his second. Hafeez drives it on the off side for four. Both openers a little edgy looking for the singles.

Six runs from the over. Pakistan are 26/0.

Third over

Zaheer continues. Akmal drives through cover, the fielders chase it to the edge of the boundary. He gets three runs for it.

Hafeez gets four! Beautifully played through mid-wicket.

Eight runs from the over. Pakistan are 20/0.

Second over

Ashish Nehra bowling the second over for India.

Nehra bowls a tight over, five runs from the over.

Pakistan are 12/0.

First over

Zaheer Khan opens the bowling for India. Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez open the batting for Pakistan.

Kamran Akmal smashes him away for four through cover point.

Straight drive from Akmal and he gets four for it.

Eight runs from the over. Pakistan are 8/0.

Second innings begin

COMMENTS (128)

Dr Priyanka | 13 years ago | Reply @shau: That's the correct spelling. When we use it as a verb it's practise. When we use it as a noun it's practice. Sorry ! did'nt mean to be rude but that's the way it is !

shahid | 13 years ago | Reply pakistan present this semi final game in nice teller (losing against india) only to have high level talks and diplomacy get moving,pls dont mix dirty politics and sports,this pakistani cricket team had the full capecity to destroy the indien side but some weared reasons in my view they lose this game intentionaly.

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Dinesh @ Chennai | 13 years ago | Reply To some of the Indians on this forum: Please do not use abusive language or arrogance in your comments. I am no saint myself but I can assure the Pakistani readers here that a few arrogant nutheads here, does not represent the majority of the Indians. We have a lot of internal problems in our country just like you, may be more. And yes there are differences of opinion in some areas, but these will also settle down as the time goes by.

AJZ | 13 years ago | Reply I think, we should appreciate our team .. They played well .. They restricted a team on 260 who made 300 or greater in all matches of worldcup.. Pak team, united team, little experienced, great leader... we made the semifinal... 29 runs doesnt matter.. Umpires didnt give 2 clear wides.. We found great leader after so many years, so many controversies.. We beat Australia and Srilanka, the two fav in worldcup, tough match with India... No doubt, we have a good PAkistan team.. AFRIDI, We are Proud of you.. :) Pakistan Zindabad

Mirza | 13 years ago | Reply Being a lifelong student of science, let me state a few facts: There are only three things in a cricket match. Bowling, batting and fielding. Pakistan failed in two out of three and did not deserve to win and be the best team. Pakistan never won a World Cup match against India, they are zero against 5. How many times has Pakistan successfully chased a score of 260 in a world cup match against a good team? No Pakistani batsman scored a centrury in this tournament even against the weak teams. In fact no Pakistani batsman is in the top 20 in this tournament. India and Sri Lanka and even Netherland’s batsmen are in top but not Pakistan. The great Pakistani captain Boom Boom, has not scored more than 37 runs in all the matches of four World Cups he has played and that score was against a weak team. Afridi topped the bowling in this tournament. However, if you take only the test playing countries, he is way down on the bowling chart also. Zaheer Khan is the top bowler against test playing countries. Having said this, the real culprits of Pakistan’s defeat are Misbah and Younus. They have not only dropped catches but also occupied the crease for too long and put the pressure on Asad and Umar to go for runs. When Misbah finally woke from his sleep it was too little too late. His late flurry reminded me of what we call here is “garbage time”. When a basketball match is decided and is in final stages the game becomes meaningless and no bearing on result. Last but not the least, Pakistani team played better than we expected before the tournament. They should be congratulated and be happy. The public and media had built this as something more than a game hence huge disappointment. Let us hope it is not a defeat for Pakistan but a victory for a team which was better and played better that day. A victory for cricket peace and friendship. Mirza, USA

jawahar | 13 years ago | Reply Pak played well till yestersday. One bad day....... Any way all the best india

Kamal | 13 years ago | Reply @Sad..you know Indian record is better against Pakistan when neutral umpire came into picture.Once somebody famously asked Gavaskar(then India Captain),"whom you will have from Pakistan team,if you have to make a combined team to take on rest of the world??"His answer was "just the two umpires of pakistan".

saad | 13 years ago | Reply Gay Ho... bhindia won match... gay ho

shahab khan | 13 years ago | Reply Shahid Afridi you are great man to pick up our team to semifinal and won\lose is the part of game this time we lose but next time we will win Inshallah Pakistan cricket team Zindabad

Swati | 13 years ago | Reply HA HA HA!!!! India and Indians have the last laugh in the India-Pak cricket battle. GO India GO !!! JAI Hind. Economic superpower, the most important developing country apart from China and now a cricket superpower (with or without the world cup as India has the IPL and generates 80% of the cricket revenue)

mubashira nasir | 13 years ago | Reply itsssss ok wid pak no prob wat happen in cricket well we can do much better and its final we can dooooooooooooooo good next time plz pak team be prepaid plz guyzzzz we luv u alot

jackie | 13 years ago | Reply @man man where the hell you prayers loll, what the hell u mean???,, that means its the fight b/w INDIAN GOD and paki god??? then whtz ur opinion now?? its the god who gave you commonsense and wisdom naa, use it wisely rather than making such absurbed, narrowminded comments, this is why pakistan sucks

Rija | 13 years ago | Reply Congratulations to the Indians on a well deserved victory. Pakistan was simply not upto the mark. Poor decisions by Afridi in the bowling department, like giving the ball to Gul towards the end instead of Razzaq, Misbah playing test cricket in a World Cup semi final, and not taking the power play when the last batsmen were playing; were some of the most eccentric decisions. The number of dropped catches; seemed like they were giving chances to Tendulkar intentionally. Being a Pakistani I obviously wanted Pakistan to win, if not then at least a good thriller match should have resulted. We knew 15 overs before the match ended that there was little chance. Some Indians will definitely jump on me when i say this, but I felt the match though maybe not fixed, the Pakistani players were somehow threatened or pressured. The betting mafia of India, as the TOI headline claims, 5000 crore rupees were bet on India's victory. There is some foul play involved. 260 was a good score, Indian batsmen can easily climb to 300, but we did well to restrict them, but then some irresponsible fielding and bowling resulted. Batting performances were below par. Misbah only started playing the shots when there NO way we could have won. And obviously Indian fielding was noticeable... very well done. Plus the professionalism demonstrated by both teams was outstanding. It seemed like an ordinary match. There were no disciplinary issues etc. Well done. I am not bitter we lost. The way we lost was extremely disappointing. Congratulations to the Indians. Best Wishes for the coming match. May the best team win.

Shabbir | 13 years ago | Reply @Saad Ka Abba Jaan: Do not abuse God...and do not bring in your filthy language by saying that match was fixed by God...God has nothing to do with such worldly things.......we are not like you people...we do not abuse God....you show yourself in movies and Indian dramas how bad you are in respecting God and how much you abuse Him when something does not go your way....we are not like that....I have seen many scenes of your film heroes abusing bhagwan in melodramatic scenes....

Shabbir | 13 years ago | Reply @Pork: I am really amazed to see that you are hindu....i.e. a person belonging to a sect who actually worship cows and beef and you give yourself a name...pork....!!! think you offended us....??? Think twice ...you are offending yourself, your beliefs and your elders...their is nothing wrong in respecting other religions....I say this with open heart...you are free to worship whoever you want to....only thing that is ok to be done in this regard is to spread the message of one's beliefs in noble and modest way....but you are true example of filthy mentality.....you are trying to offend Muslims by making a moniker...pork....what to us ....pork is the worst as far as morality is concerned in animal kingdom...so be it...you want to be like pork...ok...so be it...

GOD IS ONE | 13 years ago | Reply People, there was already news in UK that Misbah along with one bowler was fixed.

Shabbir | 13 years ago | Reply @Realist: how we can not beat India on battle field...we beat them in 1948, we beat them in 1965, lost due to hitleristic propganda in 1971 and Kargil was a tie in 1999.......So the battle field score line reads Pak 2 Ind 1 and one tie...... We had successful Nuclear explosions in 1998 and Indian scientists admitted last year that their explosuions in 19998 were not a success...So Pak 1 and India 0 here as well.. On cricket field in ODI Pak has beaten India 69 times and lost to India only 47 times….. in tests PAK 12 wins against INDIAs 9…… Make your stats right and come out of false realism ,...this is a reality check for you....

Shabbir | 13 years ago | Reply @John Bhatti: This was a match of Cricket not a challenge between Hinduism and Islam....so how can you say God chose the better believers....??? So what if we lost...it is just a game....do you see any mention of games being deciding factor between faiths in any holy scripture....!!!!???? I dare say that if there is a true challenge between Hinduism and Islam (outside games that is)..all the pandits of Hindus and all the ulemas of Islam praying...then surely surely Allah will listen to Muslims prayers....

Oho | 13 years ago | Reply @Manish: Mind your language...this shows your true mentality...the way you are addressing Pakistanis....

RH | 13 years ago | Reply @Vasan No, I don't think the match was fixed. Our team got what it deserved, we fielded poorly, we batted poorly, and our strategy was not right. You cannot win a world cup semi final only because our bowling was good. That being said, I'm sure the ICC appreciate this Indian victory much more than the common man even! You are right, this game has become about money.

Oho | 13 years ago | Reply @mawali: Mr. Mawali INSHA ALLAH means " GOD WILLING" that is if God wants to make Pakistan victorious He will...... It does not mean anything imposed on God...it is reassurance of our honest belief in Allah that Allah is supreme..... so correct yourself.....Insha Allah is not forcing supreme power but reiteration of belief in him

Sad | 13 years ago | Reply @HarryP: India too has vishv hind preshad, RSS and Bal thakarey as well as Maoists...then phoolan devis and thugs and what not......what about Mukti Bahni that you created in 1971...??? India is not far behind in crime....you have thrice higher murder rate per capita than Pakistan ... Then have you forgot that Pak has beaten India 69 times and lost to Inia only 47 times.....in ODI and in tests too PAK 12 wins against INDIAs 9.......So how can you say Pak is not better in Cricket....You had been losing to Pakistan constantly from 1986 to 2004.....!!! If you have been able to win a few matches with the help of your betting mafia and in the name of Cricket diplomacy then whats the big deal....???

Tony Singh | 13 years ago | Reply @Sad: One more conspiracy theory??

Cherish Raj | 13 years ago | Reply @Everybody I am trying to get your comments on something we ( India and Pakistan) have not really noticed. Both India and Pakistan are big countries with long cricketing histories. Think about Sri Lanka. When i started to watch cricket in the late eighties, the Lankans were minnows much like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh now. They have come a long long way. In the last five world cups(including this one), they have played in 3 finals, winning once and lost in the semi final once. They are a small country with limited resources. Their cricket board depends on the BCCI for finances. Add to it the civil war that had ravaged the country. They have done much better than their giant neighbors and now go into the finals as favorites to win the cup once again. Actually Sri Lanka puts this whole hallabulla about India Pak rivalry to shame.

IK | 13 years ago | Reply @vasan:Quote"I think the match was fixed. How on earth one will give Sachin 4 lives, Why wasnt the powerplay taken.. .. ... .." Why don`t contact a good Psychiatrist? Have you heard of Shizophrenia?

PERVAIZ | 13 years ago | Reply Fortune and pressure cause of laid down we lose a toss on wicket where pitch is slow and entirely different in 2nd batting . chasing is pakistan weakness and pressure make it more difficult in review of schin out ball miss the wicket but in necked eve no evidence of such long break in stamp review of stamp it whisper again fortune our three best fielder miss the catch it is pressure normally they can not miss our two set young best man out on wrong shots ( hafiz and asad ) it is pressure younius and misbha can not preform in middle over normally dew factor come in mohali but last night no dew which is again fortune . Gul was get ball out side the leg but it marginal and third umpire can not change the decisions if filed umpire give it out or not out . above are not reasons of defeat .It is bad day for us and good day for India and India handle pressure well and avail chance they get . well played Indai and bad luck Pakistan

vasan | 13 years ago | Reply I think the match was fixed. How on earth one will give Sachin 4 lives, Why wasnt the powerplay taken at the right time. Afridi skied the ball intentionally. I think ICC and BCCI did not want Pakistan to play in mumbai, rather they wanted India in the finals at Mumbai, Think, otherwise what will happen to the tv viewership, who will handle the Bal thackary mob, and the popularity ratings. I , for this time, do not say that the Pakistani team was instrumental in fixing, It is ICC and BCCI. . It is all $$$$$$$$$$$$ man. This whole game of playing for $$$ started in Australia in 1983, Remember "Come $ Come on" and clive lloyd's suing the newspaper "The Sydney Morning Herald", Think again.

slk | 13 years ago | Reply Kamran Akmal's level of wicketkeeping is OK for school cricket, not anything beyond that. Afridi's captaincy also needs to be analyzed, as his field placing and ability to apply pressure via inspired moves leaves much to be desired. A Pakistani captain has to lead with the bat first, and only then with the ball--Imran's test batting average between '85 and '92 was 50 (+/-2) and even more than statistics, he stood out at times when wickets were falling like bowling pins. Yunus should also be put under the microscope and if his ODI batting average remains stuck at 30, he should be dropped like Kaneria from the limited overs team.

aNu | 13 years ago | Reply Hard Luck Pakistani Team But Really Played Very Well Thorugh Out The Tournament We Still Love u Afridi And Pakistani Team Better Luck Next Time :(

Prashant | 13 years ago | Reply *I enjoyed this match, not because we won but because the Game Cricket won today. both team played well, first time in match between India and Pakistan player played like professional, they fight with bat and ball and not with slang, and be positive out of four semi finalist team 3 team were from Asia and now Asian team is going to win World cup! Think Big, Think Peace!!!*

Cricketer | 13 years ago | Reply Akmal brothers , Younus Khan and Misbah should be thrown out of the team..........they were not in the mood to win the game,rest of the team played quite well.

J.Oberoi | 13 years ago | Reply Afridi is a true champion. The way he led the under-fire Pakistan team into the semis is nothing short of a miracle. The team had to overcome so many odds and they still ended up in the top four. Pakistanis can be proud of their team's achievement in this WC. Afridi led from the front and was graceful in defeat. I never knew he had these qualities to be honest. Kudos to him.

SRK | 13 years ago | Reply I admire the way Afridi presented himself during match and post match. So Salute to him from India !!!!!!!. If India was not in semifinal then I would have definitely support Pakistan. Thank You Pakistan for playing and performing well in India.

abdul | 13 years ago | Reply misbah,younis,razzak and kamran akmal its the time ,,, please get rid of these players so we can built a future team

pappu | 13 years ago | Reply Lets admit the fact that our team needs some more fluids. The way they were struggling against less popular teams in initial matches, simply indicates lack of professionalism. It isn't about winning a game with India. Its about making ones way to the finals. I guess Pakistan should snatch the title of chokers from South Africa. They wont mind. And yes, after all, India deserved to be in finals. Congratulation to 'em.

mawali | 13 years ago | Reply Inshallah and no batting does not win games. Period!

Krishna | 13 years ago | Reply I am from India. If its not for the fact that, it has been 28 years since we last won the world cup, I would have routed for Pakistan. Pakistani nation needed the cup more than any other country. Thanks you, Pakistani team, for the exhilarating match.

Amir | 13 years ago | Reply Well played pakistan! Indians have big heart and we respect pakistan in cricket!! Good work by afridi but well short of ranked 1 team India at the match today:P

Realist | 13 years ago | Reply We can neither beat them on field of battle nor on field of cricket. What a mess!

Hamad | 13 years ago | Reply They deserve. We should trust in God then to Blame our weak side(Pak team) for loosing.

Babloo | 13 years ago | Reply Well done Pakistan. It was a class act by Afridi in his after match comments to begin by congratulating India and wishing it luck in finals. Dhoni, in excitement, forgot to than the Pakistani team , for a fine game. So , please accept my apologies on behalf of Dhoni and thanks.

Alee | 13 years ago | Reply Misbah khuda k vastey hamari jaan chordo - humse ghalti hogai k tum jaisa player hamari team mei agaya jisko ye nahi pata k ODIs singles aur run rate maintain karne ka game hai. Younis Khan saab bhi ajeeb Arrogant insaan hain, bhai aapko nahi khela jata aap boldo, test matches mei khelo, lekin Qaum ki watt lagani hai highest level pe. Akmal, Shame on you. Tumse achi keeping Ireland, Netherlands aur Kenya k keeper karte hain jinko International Matches kabhi kabhi naseeb hote hain. In the End, Aijaz Butt, If you have this little Sharam, please quit PCB, not because of the result, but because you failed to product a Good Quality player in 4 years, after Inzi left the team.

Talha | 13 years ago | Reply @HarryP Shameless comment but expected from such a filthy mindset. Much easier to say online.

waseem bhatti | 13 years ago | Reply Guys.... Misbah destroyed the match..... He wasted so many deliveries and raised the required run rate so high that it was unachievable. Only Misbah is responsible for the defeat. He had so many dot balls.....

Pork | 13 years ago | Reply @Hamza Malik: Really? This is the type of blog you want to share? The article is full of crap, far from any reality and written by some fanatic and stupid guy. Really a sore loser!!!!

kazmi | 13 years ago | Reply shahid proved himself as a captain ... he was almost in tears man... but seriouly gotta give credit to our team for playing so beautifull through out the world cup ... we played with dignity and all our hearts !!! Shahid support and appreciation for his boys was reallly outstanding!!! no hard feelings man!!! we gave our 100% ... :) thanks Pakistan team for giving us so many reasons to be happy!!! keep up the good work!!! :) as for India .. they played quite nice!!! wht can we say they got lucky!! :P

Ducky | 13 years ago | Reply Disappointed but oh so proud!

maynotmatter | 13 years ago | Reply @all crick fans Very good game, by India and Pakistan, really tough fight by Pakistan, but sorry guys, celebrations is ours, Go India :)

Athar Quraishi | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan should create a National Willow Circuit. With corporate sponsorship to promote cricketing franchise and teams nationwide. Karachi, Lahore, Hyderabad, Peshawar, Islamabad ... each can have two teams. The concept would parallel India's IPL. SureLy, the corporate prizes would not match India's, but that is not the real prize. ========== The real aim is to break the hold of Pakistan Cricket Board on cricketing talent, and create a sports-entertainment complex which with a proven model next door in India can be rolled out to hockey and squash as well. ========== Consider the revenue stream for the national exchequer. Also, the boost to the advertising and public relations sectors. It would provide employment and entertainment, create role models and positive aspirations, even a healthy sense of inclusive competition. India has created an amazing business model. Pakistan should consider this too rather than merely envy India. ========== India's win today was not in isolation of the larger momentum and transformation of cricket. It was a result of it. They have taken command of how the game and the business of cricket. Pakistan must work on it too. Bring on the Pakistani franchisees. Net practice sessions will no longer suffice. ========== Let's think outside our box. Pak Inc.... Ittefaq, Habib, Dawn, Geo et al, I hope you are listening. Let us welcome back our heroes. They pulled out to a very high rung ... good fight. We stand tall today, not diminished, because of you. For us Pakistanis, you have a trophy that is priceless. Our hearts. Best wishes and continued success.

Maryam | 13 years ago | Reply well fought in the event, better luck next time!......... we still support and love you team Pakistan

Indian | 13 years ago | Reply I think India played better on the day and deservedly won. It was pretty good tight bowling and fielding which saved the day and proved 260 could be defended on that pitch. Tough luck Pakistan, but your team did put up a great show and you should be proud of them for reaching the semifinal. Hats off to Afridi too for his very sporting gesture in his speech to wish India well for the finals. I think that was very sporting of him and is good for the sport in the sub continent. @ Saad, don't be a sore loser. Had your side won you would be singing their praises and you are calling it fixed now when they lost. Can you not be gracious in defeat and not rob the credit of the winners? It is your kind that makes life tough for cricketers and makes them feel that they need to apologize to their nation for losing. It is a game and in the end one has to win and one has to lose. Next your kind would be giving death threats to them or pelting stones at their homes. You cannot appreciate sportsmen for what they do. People admire many Pakistani sportsmen in India too for their talent. When i was a kid all i wanted to do was bowl like Wasim Akram and i'm a Hindu.

John Bhatti | 13 years ago | Reply @anem: Sorry Bhai. Allah supported believers. India won. :)

Shock horror | 13 years ago | Reply As winners of the MOTHER OF ALL CRICKET MATCHES, it is now beyond any doubt that the Indian Cricket team is better than the Pakistani team! Any doubts can only be cleared in four years time during the next World Cup. But folks it is only a game. Treat it that way and do not use abusive language.

Shabnum | 13 years ago | Reply We congratulate India on winning the semifinal. As a goodwill gesture we will let you keep our prime minister. And if you win the final we'll send our president, too.

AnIndian | 13 years ago | Reply Kindly: Be Gracious in Victory and Defeat. Please...

Shock horror | 13 years ago | Reply @lickle pakii pwincesss: You obviously have personal experience of being a Pakistani illiterate.

Sam | 13 years ago | Reply The Indian batting was not so great, we had lost all hope only to realise that the Pakistani lineup too sucked. Indian fielding and bowlers really pulled the game from the jaws of defeat. Overall very entertaining, hope the Pakistani citizens who got tickets and came to India got their money's worth and so did the PM and his entourage.

TBM | 13 years ago | Reply Afridi!!....you made the whole Pakistani team as well as the whole Pakistani nation united, Boy!!...you have done a great job!! you are and will be alive in our hearts! No matter what the result was ...as according to dhoni himself, 'in cricket usually the team which is better on a given day takes it across the line'.......We will continue to love you and support you!!.... And congratulations to India, for making a better show!

soofunny | 13 years ago | Reply this is a CIA, RAW, MOSSAD, INDIAN, USA, SAUDI, conspiracy, what is actually happened is that pakistan won by 10 wicket, but these kaffirs brainwashed the medias ,edited the video and telecasted as pakistan failed by 31 runs, bcoz it took place in India

soofunny | 13 years ago | Reply buhahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaa, buhubuhubuhaahahahaaaaa pakis shutted their mouth

Neeraj, India | 13 years ago | Reply Now that all the Insha Allahs have been silenced, Pakies must ponder over at the fact that the only hard work could get them to the place where they aspire to be. Allah is not going to help you at all, be it cricket, economics or any other field imaginable. If you think that he will assist you only because you are Muslims then your are badly mistaken. He loves us hard working Kaffirs as well!!

TRUE PAK | 13 years ago | Reply Pak played well thru oup the tournament esp afridi,saeed ajmal,umer gul. Its about time a decision about kamran akmal,yunas khan and abdurrazak is made.some just cant be part of the team just being the 'senior' player,performance matters not seniority.

Saad Ka Abba Jaan | 13 years ago | Reply @saad: Most definitely. The day dreaming Pornistanis who see stars and moon during the day were destined to go home. It was booked. By the bookie. Just that the bookie in this case happens to the God Almighty.

Hamza Malik | 13 years ago | Reply I feel sad Pakistan lost. Very sad. It's not the loss that makes me sad. It's way we lost that makes me sad. Just my two cents on our loss: http://www.thetrueperspective.com/2011/03/well-played-india-not.html

Sara | 13 years ago | Reply Love u Pakistan Team U did well, It was not our FATE today. Proud to u.

Nurmomad | 13 years ago | Reply Younis and Misbah, please quit ODIs.

Asad Durrani | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan Batting Failed again. Congratulations to India. There are lots of people In Pak Team who are Unfit for One day cricket. When will we Honor Merit even in sports? Pak Bowling did excellent Job But Batting failed Like always. Hafeez and Akmal threw their wickets away for nothing. Yunus and Misbah Looked like came to play test match. LOL It was Fun game over all. Good entertainment...PAK batting is extremely Poor. They must concentrate taking Boys in One day Cricket who can do one day batting..

John Bhatti | 13 years ago | Reply @anem: Sorry bhai. Allah chose belivers today. India won.

Disco Molvi | 13 years ago | Reply Prayers to Bhagwaan beat mard-e-momin of Pakistan

Mulla Toofhan | 13 years ago | Reply Congratulation India !!! Well deserved Win against a good team. Wish you best for the finals. All the Prayers, Duas and Munats, We lost, God wasn't listening, Is God angry with Pakistan. Hmmmmm

JUNAID MIRZA | 13 years ago | Reply Afridi, you dont need to apologize to the nation. The Nation loves you; you had given us hope and made this team play united. We are Proud of you; Come home; We are all waiting for you with open arms and Smiles

Dr. Saleem Siddiqi | 13 years ago | Reply Dropping of 6 Catches, Poor Fielding at the boundry, poorest wicket-keeping, worst middle order batting (Younus, Misbah, Umer Akmal, Afridi and Abdul Razzak) costed us this match. BCCP should learn from these mistakes and do over-hauling of Pakistan team. A team which cannot win a small total of 260 runs at Mohali where average score is 313 runs is very shameful. We hope to have young team will be prepared for net twenty twenty and ODI Matches minus all the culprits in the present team which has no fighting spirit.

Avanti | 13 years ago | Reply And more excuses by the Pakistanis. Why can't you guys, for a change, accept the reality? It was a game that India won. Pakistan could have won too. It was never out of their reach. Why talk about fixing and all that? One team had to lose and it happened to be Pakistan. Poor fielding, probably, and add that to India's disciplined fielding and bowling (which is so rare).

junaid | 13 years ago | Reply watevr......as most of us promixd Win or Lose We Still Love u Team Pakistan...........i stand by it !!!thnx team 4 thx amaxing bout of 1 week unity...:)))♥ u n hope 2 c u strike bak...:)

mohd rifaye | 13 years ago | Reply bravo ! men in blue !! it was a great game. with all respect to pakistan side, we played better than u. But i think pakistan nation should be proud of their side for a great effort and to come this far. There is nothing to sad or ashamed about. Ah, the final is coming in two days, Please pray for us, and with grace of allah, we will lift the trophy.Go India Go !! :)

allah rakha | 13 years ago | Reply Sorry Pakistani bhaio. I stillthink you deserved to win and the win would have done your nation more good than India.

HarryP | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistanis are good in just creating people like Ajmal Kasab, Salman Taseer, etc... Nobody can beat Pakistan when it comes to terrorism. So its better they stick to their traditional strengths instead of playing cricket...

RH | 13 years ago | Reply You need 5 things to win a world cup semi final: 1) Bowling 2) Batting 3) Fielding 4) Strategy and 5) Luck. You cannot win at this level with just bowling. You cannot win by dropping the best batsman in the world 5 times. You cannot win by not knowing when to take your power plays (strategy). In the end, the better prepared side won, and we didn't have luck on our side either. Those who wanted Pakistan to win were plenty, those who thought Pakistan would win don't understand cricket as well as they should. I'm still proud to be a Pakistani, when all this is said and done.

Sunil Bhalla | 13 years ago | Reply Jai Shree Ram! We are celebrating DIWALI in India tonight! :) Pakistan you played well...

Paki | 13 years ago | Reply @saad: You sore loser.

ani | 13 years ago | Reply WE WON! You played very well. Can't give TOndulakar that many chances. Your team is built for the future.

J Oberoi | 13 years ago | Reply The way Misbah and Younis Khan played in the beginning, it did not look like they had a plan. They were too slow to begin with. Umar was the only threat for India and once he got out, it was only a matter of time. I was hoping for a closer game. Even though Misbah hit some big ones in the end, the result was never in doubt. But well played Pakistan. Better luck next time.

Ozzie!! | 13 years ago | Reply Misbah definitely fooled the whole world with his heroics!! and yes he did the score the highest of them all but must have definitely got the highest pay of his life!! What a Shame!!

mastishhk | 13 years ago | Reply Rehman Malik won this round.... Afridi's leadership was exceptional and he led from the front throughout the tournament. Pakistan went down fighting. The match lived upto the hype that surrounds Indo Pak matches. Better luck next time !!1

Puja Bishwas | 13 years ago | Reply Hello Pakistan ! More than the poor performance it was hard luck for you guys. How else can you explain Sachin gettting these many reprieves ! I have Sachin getting out on his first wrong shot in many matches but today he got many lives ! Any way well played ! You did find Wahab a rare talent !! Good luck for your future ahead !!!!

abhinav | 13 years ago | Reply @anem Now what do you say my muslim brother? I think God is doesn't play favorit :) Better team wins the match :)

Abdul Ali | 13 years ago | Reply PM and muftas who went with him should pay their own cost. Nation cannot afford free rides

alice | 13 years ago | Reply i wont PAKISTAN 2 WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO PAKISTAN

Farooq A | 13 years ago | Reply It was a good game. pakistan lost playing well. We wish best of luck for India in the final

IndoPak Man | 13 years ago | Reply My Pak friends. Only one team can win the game. Do not be sad. Take it as a game. InshaAllah, Pakistan will win next time.

Syed A. Mateen | 13 years ago | Reply In games it happens. Very well played Pakistani Cricket Team. Keep up the sportsmen spirit. Inshallah you will play again.

Oh | 13 years ago | Reply The indian comments are gonna be revolting tommorrow.

mastishhk | 13 years ago | Reply @ Anem..Well Allah doesn't always help the muslims..It helps those who play better !!!

Abdul Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Better team on a day won on home ground we welcome India to come to Pakistan.and let us see who wins

Ashwin | 13 years ago | Reply A wonderful Match guys.the very best in a long time.Well played Pakistan

shau | 13 years ago | Reply @Billa singh: Dude! we'll do that, but can you spell practice correctly. You need to practice on your English....

How??? | 13 years ago | Reply fixed....................!!!!!!!!!!!

Sana | 13 years ago | Reply Congratulations team India, you played really well. And Well Done Greens, we owe you a BIG thanks for entertaining us through out the world cup, You guys rock!!! :)

Cutiepie | 13 years ago | Reply wats hapening with pakistan right now so only a miracle could make em win so plz allah plz let pakistan it would be a shame if they lose I'm a pakistani so I reeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaalllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy hope pakistan wins :(

Billa singh | 13 years ago | Reply sorry pakistan waliyo..next time practise harder yaar.

Raj | 13 years ago | Reply I feel sorry for my brothers and sisters West of my home town Amritsar.

anem | 13 years ago | Reply pray for pakistan bcoz now the situation is very danger plz pray to Allah that we won the match and INSHALLAH got the great happines @umair mohammed:

Alap Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan have never played well once the pressure builds up!!

SAJJAD SARWAR | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan our prayers are with you.... we will win Inshallah...

man man | 13 years ago | Reply @Puja Bishwas: u wish hahaha

man man | 13 years ago | Reply I THINK PAKISTANIES are really good team and they had faced a lot of problems lately i guess i just want them to win so that they feel proud of themselves and work hard in the future. if they lost then they're heart will be broken and would be quite sad. i hope they win even though i am an indian citizen. good luck pakistan have a great and memorable match.

man man | 13 years ago | Reply Go pakistan u rock oh pakistan is gonna win and windies r going to trash hahaah? laughters to pakistanies and cries to windies. have a lovely match pakistaniES and have a bad match windies. pakistan has the prayers bro they are going to win hooooooooraY!!!!!!!!!

Sad | 13 years ago | Reply Indian betting mafia is forcing Pakistan to lose ...otherwise Cronje and woolmer are examples.....

bilal danish | 13 years ago | Reply im in school in india !! supporting pakistan !! :p i think this will be most memorable match for me!!!

umair mohammed | 13 years ago | Reply @anem: exactly pakistan will beat india ameen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saad | 13 years ago | Reply @anem: lets celebrate whoever wins, afterall we share a very long common history. It's not just muslim and non-muslim please. it's those thousands of years we were one, longer then Islam itself. . Cheers to India if they win and bravo to Pakistan if they win.

Syed A. Mateen | 13 years ago | Reply Indians made 260 runs for 9 in 50 over’s. It’s quite a high score. Pakistani cricketers have to make 261 in order to win. If the players will play with confidence and make the first 100 quickly but steadily in 15 over’s than it is quite a bright chance to win. Let’s keep our fingers cross. Let’s take the semi-final cricket match as a game. It is not a matter of life and death. Nevertheless it is matter of pride as well as performance.

sara | 13 years ago | Reply who won india or pakistan?

SAJJAD SARWAR | 13 years ago | Reply Inshallah Pakistan Will win... the performance of the players is satisfied, i hope will win... but we need little efforts... Inshallah.....

anem | 13 years ago | Reply pakistan zindabad, wel Allah always help muslims and its a fight between muslims and non muslims so Allah always with muslims in al fights and give a chance to celebrate the happines of wining the fight . Allah bless Pakistan Ameen .

Puja Bishwas | 13 years ago | Reply Wahab is a very exciting bowler. Pakistani bowlers have really put the Indian batsmen on their knees. Lets see how their batsmen perform !! Finger crossed !! Goings getting tough for my fav team - Team India

Palvasha von Hassell | 13 years ago | Reply Tendulkar down! Now anything is possible!

Syed A. Mateen | 13 years ago | Reply At the beginning of 33rd over, Indian Cricket Team made 173 at the fall of 4 wickets out of which 76 runs were made by Tendukar. It seems that Tendulkar is going to make 100+ runs in this match. In early over’s, Indian score was quite fast and un-expected. Pakistani players have dropped number of catches, otherwise, by now 7 wickets of Indian Cricket Team would have been fallen. Pakistanis all over the world are watching this exiting match between Pakistan and India. It is great game going on while the two Prime Minister’s are sitting together and watching the match but the cameras are not focusing the PM’s. At the end of Indian Cricket Team inning, it will be more than 250 runs which Pakistani Cricket Team has to chase. Pakistani Team will be quite under pressure. I am still optimistic that despite tough competition between the two rival cricket teams, Pakistan will finally win the semi-final cricket match in Mohali.

Rohit Roy | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan is playing up to their strengh. I think playing Wahab is proving to be a nice move by Afridi. Best of luck to both teams from here !!

Deepesh Nayak | 13 years ago | Reply Good show by Men in Green. They are playing like champs ! Gud to see them Men in blue need to do a lot better now !!!

Harish Prakash | 13 years ago | Reply Good performance by Pakistan so far !! Good come-back after Sahwag's blast. It is not getting tough for India. Good Luck team India.

Palvasha von Hassell | 13 years ago | Reply Go Wahab go!!! Taken 3 wickets all by himself!!!

lickle pakii pwincesss | 13 years ago | Reply pakistannn ure gnna win

anchor directory | 13 years ago | Reply nice start by indian player

Palvasha von Hassell | 13 years ago | Reply I think we might be expecting miracles from our boys here, which they might or might not deliver. If not, let's not be hard on them; they reached this point, which is great. It is only a game, after all. If they lose, they will learn from this experience, and be better next time.

ALI | 13 years ago | Reply BOOM BOOM DE GHUMA KE SHAHID AFRIDI YOU ROCKKKKKKKKKKKKK

Waleed Qayum | 13 years ago | Reply -* Akhtar Kahan Hai Yar =(

Rahul | 13 years ago | Reply Go CRICKET Go..... :)

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