PESHAWAR, March 16: Scores of students protested against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for depriving them of watching the third One-day International scheduled to be held at Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Students gathered in front of the Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday to protest non-availability of tickets for the ODI. The PCB had announced that sale of tickets would continue for three consecutive days-from March 15 to 18-for the third ODI, but all the tickets were sold out on the first day.
The protesting students said that they had been waiting for the match since long, but were utterly disappointed when they came to know that tickets were not available.
According to them, they were told by the bank officials that tickets were available for VIP and VVIP enclosures at the Gymkhana Cricket Ground, but said that they were too expensive for them.
Sale of tickets for VIP and VVIP enclosures continued on the second consecutive day, where those who could afford bought them at Rs1200 and Rs1500. Holding banners inscribed with slogans, "Down with the PCB" they said that the PCB should provide tickets to students.
"We have come from Swat district, but faced disappointment when we were told that all the tickets for general enclosures had been sold out on the first day," said angry students. They said that they would come to the stadium on March 19 and would see the match anyway.
Our Sports Correspondent adds from Lahore: Sale of tickets for the fourth March 21 One-day International (ODI) scheduled to be held at Qadhafi Stadium between Pakistan and India starts on Wednesday.
Tickets in the price range of Rs 1500, Rs 1200, Rs 800 and Rs 500 will be on sale at the stadium's booths from 10 am, while the lower priced tickets of Rs 100, Rs 150 and Rs 250 for ladies will be available at all the branches of Bank Alfalah in the city from 3 pm to 6 pm. The tickets for fifth ODI which will also be staged here on March 24 will start selling on March 19.
