Tickets in black for Mohali tie

World Cup cricket fever was at its peak here Saturday with a Rs.15,000 ticket of next week's India and Pakistan semi-final match at Mohali being sold for up to Rs.100,000 in the black market, said a man close to the black market operators.

A Rs.15,000 ticket may cost between Rs.85,000 to Rs.100,000, depending upon the negotiations by a buyer with the black marketer, said the man who did not wish to be named.

"Demand for tickets is increasing with each passing day. Nobody wants to miss the live action of India-Pakistan clash. There are buyers, who are ready to pay Rs.100,000 for a Rs.15,000 ticket. The prices can go even higher in the next couple of days," he said.

"Most of the ticket seekers are non-resident Indians, who have come to Punjab on holiday. Besides there are buyers from Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh," he said.

While a Rs.250-ticket was being sold on the sly for Rs.5,000, Rs.500-tickets were available in the black market for over Rs.10,000. A Rs.1,000-ticket was being sold for nearly Rs.15,000, he said.

India and Pakistan will play under floodlights Wednesday at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium at Mohali, some 10 km from here.