India v/s Pakistan: Pak High Commissioner Abdul Basit says tomorrow's tie will help create goodwill between the nations

Describing the high-voltage India Pakistan Twenty20 World Cup match as "all about creating goodwill", Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit expressed hope that the two nations would be "able to build on this".

"This match is all about creating goodwill and let's hope that the two countries will be able to build on this," Basit said soon after his arrival at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here this afternoon.

The Pakistan diplomat, who is in the city to watch saturday's match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, however, expressed his disappointment over his colleagues not getting the visa to visit India to witness the clash. "I am very glad to be here, but obviously somewhat sad that my colleagues, who wanted to come to Kolkata, couldn't ... But in any case, we are looking forward to an exciting match," Basit said.

Five diplomats from the neighbouring country, who wanted to watch the India-Pakistan tie, were denied visas because of their alleged link to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Incidentally, travel permits for two out of seven officials and their families were granted while the remaining five were denied.

On the security arrangements in the city for the Pakistan side, Basit said, "So far, there are no issues. I hope everything will go alright and we are looking forward to a great match tomorrow."