MOHALI, March 6: When it comes to handing out complimentary passes, the Indians are not far behind the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), so it seems.
As hundreds queued up to buy tickets for the first Test starting from Tuesday, many of them accused the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) of not putting up enough tickets for sale.
As it was in Pakistan last year when India crossed over to play a full series, obtaining tickets here is indeed a tough proposition. For the past two days fans have thronged Mohali, with many of them camping outside the stadium all night.
But it has been a frustrating exercise for many of them and some have even accused the Punjab Police of being involved in the black-marketing of tickets.
The Federation of Lawyers Against Corruption is said to have filed a case against the PCA, challenging its authority to issue complimentary passes. However, the return of as many as 4,500 unsold tickets from Pakistan has provided the Indian fans a ray of hope. However, the PCA has been bold enough to say it is their right to oblige people who mattered.
The association's president, I S Bindra, told Dawn on Sunday that 90 per cent of the tickets had been sold to the public and remarked that he saw nothing wrong with issuing complimentary passes.
"If we sell the North End to a multinational for a hefty sum and give out passes in lieu of that, what's wrong with that," he questioned. "Anyone can go to court, it is their right but it shows that cricket is a high-profile game."
Golden toss
It is a landmark series and the Punjab Cricket Association is trying to make it memorable for everyone involved. When the coin is spun on Tuesday at the Mohali Stadium, it will be a golden toss.
A specially designed gold coin with the PCA logo on one side and the Pakistan-India series emblem on the other is to be used for the toss.
It will be interesting to see if captain Inzamamul Haq is able to strike gold!
Bara khana
When the Indians were in Pakistan last year, they were overwhelmed by the warm hospitality. So it is their turn now to reciprocate.
So the Chief Minister of Punjab Capt Amarinder Singh has taken the lead and is likely to host a dinner for all the Pakistani visitors on March 9 with catering arrangement for over 5,000 people.
Pakistani fans streamed in Sunday from Wagha although there were reports that a few special trains carrying them from Atari to Chandigarh had been cancelled.
Cricket officials said that they were expecting around 3,500 spectators from Pakistan.
At the nets
Pakistan after a wet, wet draw in a three-day match against a Board President's XI in Dharamshala that was supposed to be a warm-up for the first Test, were on Sunday trying to make up for lost time.
A long hard session in the afternoon at the match venue on Tuesday involved physical exercises, batting and bowling practice with all players going through their paces.
Pakistan are to name their team for the match on Monday and a full squad, fortunately with no injuries is available. "So far there is no injury; everyone is fit and ready to go. We will have a look at the wicket and then decide on the final eleven tomorrow."
The Indian team also went through an extensive practice session and captain Saurav Ganguly appeared in no mood to talk to the media rudely ignoring them.
Seamer-friendly pitch
Rival captains Inzamamul Haq and Saurav Ganguly have had a good look at the Mohali pitch; the media too have been examining it and the conclusion drawn is that it will help the seamers as it has traditionally done.
"The pitch has a character of its own and it does help the seamers," chief curator Daljit Singh said. "The matches that have been played here have produced results in four days but it depends entirely on the players."
Inzamam felt that if the wicket, which has some grass on it, was allowed to remain as it was now; the match would be an even contest. "It will help the pacemen," he was quick to remark and made it clear that Muhammad Sami, spearheading the attack in place of an injured Shoaib Akhtar will have to shoulder a lot of responsibility.
"I know he is quite capable and will have to deliver; and also our openers have to do well. They are all talented and a lot is expected from them."
"The first match will be very important, especially the first day," said Inzamam under whom Pakistan were crushed 3-0 in a Test series Down Under and also lost the tri-series competition.
Meanwhile coach Bob Woolmer termed the pitch as "interesting". "It was dry when I first saw it but after they watered it, the grass came up."
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