Fans go to extreme lengths to bag a ticket for mouth-watering game

The Very Very Important People (VVIP) list of those expected to come to watch the India-Pakistan match at Mohali tomorrow is growing by the day.

The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) officials are in a mad rush to make sure the most comfortable seats are made available for them.

With Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani both expected, security screening to enter the stadium has been unprecedented.

As I entered the stadium yesterday, for the first time in this World Cup, I was frisked from top to bottom, with the policeman going to the extent of searching my socks and shoes.

I felt bad for these policemen who have to search every single leg entering the stadium.

Black market ticket rates are mounting by the hour. I've heard a Rs1,000 (Dh82) ticket was purchased by a visitor from Delhi for Rs25,000 (Dh2,047). "I cannot understand the madness in spending such money. For this money he could have bought an LCD 42-inch television and watched the match comfortably from his home!" said a PCA official.

It was nice to see Yuvraj Singh respecting PCA officials.

He touched PCA president I.S. Bindra's feet and hugged him. Bindra has played a big role in Singh's development.

Film actor Rahul Bose managed to get himself a ticket but screen villain Gulshan Grover has failed.

Security pressure

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan was supposed to attend the match but decided against as it could put additional pressure on the police.

Local newspapers here reported an Indian fan offering his kidney for a ticket!

A fan was permitted into the stadium while India were practising. He had a replica of the World Cup on his shaven head and wore a Sachin Tendulkar shirt.

Meanwhile, bookmakers are favouring India over Pakistan. Bets on the semi-final are expected to cross to dizzy heights. Ladbrokes, the British betting syndicate, has given the Indian team 4-7 odds. Bets have also been placed for huge amounts on whether Tendulkar will score a century.

The harsh treatment of Kamran Akmal by the fans has also continued. As he was boarding the team bus, a fan shouted: "Akmal, can you also drop me on the way?"