E-Paper
No Pak fans at Eden
An Indian officials said no visas have been issued for Kolkata as the PCB had not made any arrangements to sell tickets for the Test.
Unlike the bonhomie at view in Mohali between Indians and Pakistanis fans, the Eden Gardens in Kolkata would not see any such friendship as no tickets were sold for the second Test in Pakistan, nor any visas issued.
In the backdrop of reports in Islamabad's media over the emotional welcome and friendly treatment accorded to around 3000 Pakistan cricket fans in Chandigarh and other parts of Punjab during the Mohali Test, there is a huge disappointment among Pakistanis that not a single one of them could travel to watch the second Test.
The Indian High Commission officials said no visas have been issued for Kolkata match as the Pakistan Cricket Board had not made any arrangements to sell tickets for the second Test.
The PCB has left the entire sale of tickets to American Express, which has not brought tickets for the Kolkata Test for sale in Pakistan, an Indian High Commission official in Islamabad said.
Since no tickets were sold, no visas were also issued as all cricket visas were linked with the sale of tickets, he said.
Even though the much awaited series was projected from the beginning as a major confidence building measure by both the Governments to improve relations, tickets and visas turned out to be a be major issue.
The first surprise came as PCB managed to sell only 3,000 tickets and returned over 4,500 out of the 7,500 offered for the Mohali Test which was expected to draw the highest number of fans due to its proximity to the Wagah border.
Eventually only around 3,000 fans went for Mohali and returned with pleasant memories of the Indian hospitality.
Expecting a huge rush the Indian High Commission opened special windows for visas as well as special camps in Lahore and Karachi but was disappointed with the public response.
The PCB officials for their part blamed the uncertainity over the series and the last minute finalisation of venues as the main reasons for the confusion as there was little time to collect and sell tickets.
