Enter stadium at 6 - for 2.30 p.m. match!

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Believe it or not, spectators are expected to start moving into the stadium here by 6 on Wednesday morning though the India-Pakistan World Cup semifinal starts only at 2.30 p.m.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has urged ticket holders to reach the venue at least three hours before the match starts so that they do not face inconvenience due to strict security restrictions.

But cricket officials here say they expect spectators to start getting into the stadium at 6 a.m. Strict security is in force since the two most prominent spectators will be Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh of India and Yousuf Raza Gilani of Pakistan.

The Mohali cricket stadium is considered one of the best in India. Its pitch is reputedly lively and supporting to both batsmen and pace bowlers. It was built in 1992 and can accommodate 28,000 spectators.