"The Indian side should be prepared to issue maximum visas," Shahid Malik told TimesNow television, adding that he was not worried over the issue of providing security to the Pakistani team in Mohali.

India and Pakistan will clash in the second semi-finals in the Punjab town close to Chandigarh. India beat Australia and Pakistan crushed the West Indies in their quarter-final encounters.

An India-Pakistan match was good for bilateral ties, Malik said. He said the two countries needed to move ahead in other areas too.

The diplomat spoke glowingly of the Pakistani team, saying it had shown it was a winning squad.

"In fielding, batting, bowling, in every field (they are outstanding)," he said. "It (the semi-final) is a challenge. Let us see what happens on March 30."