The grand finale of the World Cup is only three days away and the Wankhede Stadium is getting ready for the summit clash. But the pace of work slowed down a bit yesterday with the workforce following the happenings in the India-Pakistan semi-final in Mohali.

Many carried pocket transistors to keep abreast with the latest twists in the match happening over 1,600 kms away.

Inside the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) headquarters, there were shouts of delirium and sighs of disappointment in front of television sets as the fortune kept swinging from one end to the other in the
distant cricketing field.

Sehwag's fireworks in the early overs virtually brought work to a stop.

"Work is important. But everybody wants to enjoy the game. Can't say anything. Too much ]emotion is involved," said a police officer. As MS Dhoni got out, an official swore. "S--t. What's going to happen," he exclaimed.

Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar kept them on the edge as he survived two close appeals and then reaped the benefits of dropped catches.

"Today is his day. He will get his 100th international century," said a woman worker. But, that was not to be and Tendulkar finished 15 short, resulting in a collective heartbreak.