Rampant black-marketing of tickets at Kotla

New Delhi: Rampant black-marketing of tickets for the third and final One-Day International between India and Pakistan was prevalent outside the Ferozeshah Kotla here Sunday.

Numerous touts were seen selling tickets for more than double their price. Cricket enthusiasts who missed a chance to witness the arch rivals go head-to-head in a dead rubber match didn`t shy away from purchasing these tickets. Most of the tickets being sold were for the cheaper stands. Touts went about their business very nonchalantly even with a massive presence of Delhi police in the area. Some policemen turned a blind eye to the cheeky proceedings right around them while a few were seen taking account of the situation. When asked, a policeman told IANS: "It is very difficult to spot these touts. There are so many groups of people here. How do you ascertain who`s who. When we clearly see people selling tickets illegally, we go and confront them." -*- Jampacked Kotla greets India-Pakistan players Even as the temperature dipped to the season`s lowest, a packed Kotla greeted the Indian and Pakistan players. There was a lot of speculation ahead of the match of fans giving the game a miss as Pakistan have already sealed the series 2-0. But fans didn`t disappoint the players and turned up in numbers for a Sunday game to see the unfolding of yet another of the great rivalries in the sport. Chants of "India! India!" echoed all through the stadium. However, it wasn`t all plain sailing for the cricket enthusiasts since Delhi Police had turned the stadium into a Fortress Ferozeshah. Long queues awaited the fans thanks to the tight security in place. Many even missed the start of the match but started their own party outside by blowing bugles and chanting animatedly. -*- 1,100 Pakistan fans for Kotla ODI Some 1,100 Pakistani fans turned up at the Kotla to cheer for the Misbah-ul-Haq led side on a chilly Sunday. The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) had allotted Hill Stand A for the Pakistani fans. But some were scattered all over the stadium. IANS