JOHANNESBURG: As Pakistan take on Australia today, cricket will finally achieve what years of diplomacy and peace processes haven't been able to.

Millions of Indian fans will cheer every wicket taken by the Men in Green, and go into raptures whenever a Pakistani batsman hits a boundary.
Unfortunately, this neighbourly bonhomie is likely to be a one-off. Team India desperately needs Pakistan to beat Australia to keep alive its own hopes of making the Champions Trophy semi-finals. An Australian win will hand a return ticket to Dhoni's men.

But having already gone through to the semi-finals, Younis Khan's team might rest a few key players though the skipper, who played against India in spite of a broken finger, said he would take the field himself. An outright Australia win against a virtual B-team from Pakistan will mean India packing their bags and heading home.
Dhoni, his team on the brink, couldn't be bothered with the big picture. The equation, purely from a sporting point of view, wasn't to his liking. "I guess you can expect Indian fans to cheer Pakistan tomorrow. It's entirely up to them if they want to do so." Asked if he would implore Pakistan to pull off a win and field their best team, Dhoni, almost irritable, shot back: "How can I have any suggestions for Pakistan? They have their own plans and they will do what suits them. You can support who you like."
Younis, who is fast acquiring cult status as a witty statesman of the game, was more relaxed, his team having already gone through. He was savouring the situation and offered some insights while he was at it. Essentially, he said he would like to see India go through but his first priority would be Pakistan's benefits.