The two former champions can clash in the semifinals at Mohali on March 30, if India overcome Australia and Pakistan beat England in their first kn
India, who have finished second in Group B, will have to beat defending champions Australia in Ahmedabad on Thursday, while Group A toppers Pakistan will have to overpower the West Indies in Mirpur on Wednesday, before they can think of the exciting Mohali clash.
India have never lost to Pakistan in the World Cup, coming on top in all four meetings which were riveting. The only time they met in the knockout round, India beat them comfortably in Bangalore in 1996.
In the other two quarterfinals, New Zealand face South Africa on Friday in Mirpur in Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka take on England in Colombo on Saturday.