Twitter alert: The India-Pakistan semi-final

Celebrities still talking about India-Pakistan semi-final.

India’s win against Pakistan in the World Cup cricket match in Mohali on Wednesday, March 30, brought cheer to Bollywood. Stars like Abhishek Bachchan, Sushmita Sen, Anupam Kher and Shilpa Shetty hailed the boys in blue for overcoming the Pakistani challenge.

While celebrating the win, some stars appreciated Pakistani team’s efforts. “Message to Afridi and his team: India won the game, but you and your team won our hearts,” said Indian film critic Taran Adarsh on his Twitter page.

Pakistani celebrities too acknowledged the Indian win. While many of them got over the world cup obsession, with Pakistani team out of the tournament, Junoon’s Salman Ahmad seemed determined to continue his Twitter commentary till the very end.

Talking about fan following, top star Lady Gaga has become the first to have nine million followers on the microblogging site.

Gaga, who is topping the Billboard charts for the sixth consecutive week with single “Born this Way”, is officially the most-followed celebrity on the site with Justin Bieber next to her in the second place, reports contactmusic.com.

According to reports, she has also broken the record for the most online singles sold and has had to date over one billion views on Youtube.

Gaga has recently been busy with fundraising for the Japanese tsunami and earthquake relief fund. She has already raised over $1.5 million for the victims.

April Fools’ Day was another hot topic on Twitter for celebrities. Neil Patrick Harris aka Barney of “How I Met Your Mother” played a prank on his fans announcing a Twitter departure. “I’m sick of these negative responses! Rude, hurtful, constantly — it’s too much. I’m leaving Twitter. Love to say I’m joking, but I’m not,” wrote the actor. And here’s what some other celebrities posted this week.

Amitabh Bachchan

India beats Pakistan. Moves into the final against Sri Lanka. India breathes normally now. Well played, India, congratulations.

Sushmita Sen

So proud of India. Truly played like World Cup winners. We are ready, Sri Lanka, bring it on. Thank you, Pakistan, for a memorable World Cup semi final, a worthy and a graceful opponent. Well played!

Diya Mirza

Yay! Well played, Pakistan. Congratulations, India. Proud to see the camaraderie and respect between both the teams.

Shilpa Shetty

India won and I cried. Tears of joy! Class act by the Indian team, aggression with maturity, lethal combo. They deserve to be in the finals. Fabulous job.

Ali Zafar

Two questions will remain in our heads. Why wasn’t batting powerplay taken and why did Misbah and Younus block instead of circulating the strike?

Ali Azmat

Well done, India, you’ve earned this victory.

Ashton Kutcher

I thank the lord every day I went through high school as a guy not a girl.

Salman Ahmad

Afridi and team were given a hero’s welcome in Karachi. He told a journalist that Pakistan should appreciate Indian culture and people, not demonise them.

Conan O’Brien

My April Fools’ Day prank at airport security did not go well. You may not see me Monday.

Tyra Banks

I’m teaching the girls of “America’s Next Top Model” how to sign their autograph this evening. How would you sign yours? And don’t say with a heart!

Published in The Express Tribune, April 03^rd, 2011.