Boom Boom dreams of an Indo Pak final !

Afridi, the mercurial Pak skipper, has said that his dream is a Pak- India final at Mumbai. This will draw billions of viewers.

He says that the subcontinental teams are the best in the tournament.

"There is a possibility that Pakistan and India play the final of the World Cup and if that happens it would be ideal for the World Cup, one-day format and for the game of cricket."

The neighbours are in separate groups and the format has been arranged in such a way that they are not eliminated early. Both of them were eliminated early in the 2007 WC, which proved to be a financial disaster.

Even though Pak boasts about superiority, they are yet to beat India in the WC. The last time they clashed was in Bangalore, in 1996, when India beat them by 39 runs. Psychologists attribute this phenomenon of Pak losing to India in WC matches, to pressure or fear of defeat.

Contradicting the Orwellian Theory that sports is surrogate war, the dashing Paki said that sports can unite both countries.

"Both India and Pakistan have to play above their potential to reach the final but it would be ideal for billions of people around the world."

Both the cricketing powers have not clashed after 26/11, when the Mumbai incident took place.

"We would love to beat India in India and in a World Cup match because we have never done this before and this could be a great motivation."

People of both the nations love cricket and I don't see any threat.

"But yes, if the atmosphere is highly charged it would definitely spur both the teams on and bring out the best in the players from both the sides."

"I know that this beautiful game has the charm and the power to bring the nations closer," he said.

"What we have seen in the past is an ample proof of that. When India came here in 2004, people from both sides came closer and when we toured India we were welcomed by their people, so it's a mutual love for the game."

While Afridi maintained that this is an open Cup with no favourites as such, Waqar, the coach was fair when he said India is the current favourites and SA has been playing well and Australia can still win.

Waqar said his team can also triumph.

"If you ask me, this team has the potential to win. For sure they have the potential to win the World Cup," he said.

"The main thing is to give it your best and the best results will come."