Pakistani and Indians crowded around television sets at tea stalls and screens erected in markets and stadiums as the cricket-crazy, fiercely rival nations stopped work on Wednesday to watch their teams vie for a place in the World Cup final.

Banks, offices and shops emptied out as the game began in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and other cities of the country.

The build-up to the match in Mohali has been intense, with unrelenting media coverage and public prayers for the teams. Interest increased further over the weekend when Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani accepted an invitation to attend, raising the prospect of progress in improving ties between the two nations.