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By Ali Salman
reporting from Lahore
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Pakistan cricket fans would love nothing more than to see their side beat arch-rivals India at the 2003 World Cup.
But apart from the keenness shown by the passionate supporters, another group in Pakistan are just as excited about the forthcoming clash on 1 March - the bookmakers.
In Lahore, the bookies, who suffered from a bad press following their involvement in the cricket match-fixing scandals of the late 1990s, are preparing themselves for a betting bonanza.
According to one bookmaker, the World Cup has not been a great pull for the punters, although he believes that is soon to change.
"The betting market is not so hot at the moment," said bookie Ustad Shafique.
"Most of the money will be laid on during the Super Six stage.
"However I fully expect there will be more interest shown for the match between Pakistan and India than for any other contest in the tournament."
"Even the people who don't follow cricket will fancy a punt on this match."
In the overall picture, Shafique's bookmakers rate Pakistan as fifth favourites for the title, whereas India are way out in seventh.
Unsurprisingly, Australia are favourites.
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