Ahmedabad, Mar 21 : Tickets for the Cricket World Cup quarter-final match between defending champions Australia and hosts India to be played at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Motera stadium here, have been sold out, the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) said today.
There were huge queues to get entry into over 48,000 capacity stadium as people had started lining up from last night for the high profile match after it became clear that India will play Australia, GCA said.
"All the tickets have been sold out," GCA secretary Rajesh Patel said. Hundreds of fans had to return disappointed and there was minor lathi-charge by police to control the crowd.
Those who had waited overnight for tickets to the match complained that though officially tickets were sold out, tickets were available in black.
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However, Patel said, "how would I know sitting in my office that tickets are available in black".
Meanwhile, unprecedented security arrangements have been made by the city police for the match which is being played under the threat of possible terror strike.
"Earlier two World Cup matches were played here. Security for the quarters final has been much more robust than the two earlier matches," city police commissioner Amitabh Pathak said.
"We get inputs regarding terror threat time to time. We are also in touch with intelligence bureau officials. But there is no specific threat for this match," Pathak said.
The police has virtually turned the Motera stadium into a fortress. "We have deployed one joint commissioner of police, two superintendents of police, eight DySPs, 26 police inspectors and 100 PSIs for the security of the match," Pathak said.
"Besides, 1,200 policemen will also be deployed for the security of the match," he further said.
Asked about tickets being sold in black, Pathak said, "Good you brought this to my notice. We will check it."
Police has also made elaborate round the clock security arrangements at the hotel in which both the teams will be staying, Pathak said.
"Apart, from this, we will keep sniffer dogs, bomb disposal squads, quick response teams on high alert for the match. Video recording will also be done," he said.
"We have also installed explosive detection devices at entry points of the stadium. Body check will be randomly carried out," he added.
The Indian and Australian cricket teams arrived here today for their quarter final match scheduled on March 24, at Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera here.
The Indian team led by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni looking upbeat after defeating West Indies by 80 runs yesterday, arrived at the Sardar Patel Airport here this evening.
The team is likely to practice at Motera stadium tomorrow morning.
The Australia squad, who arrived after their Indian counter-parts, are scheduled to practice in the afternoon tomorrow.
Tight security has been deployed across the city following a security alert issued by the Central government in the wake of the Cricket World Cup.
Number of police personnel have been deployed at the match venue, along with dog and bomb disposal squad and quick response team (QRTs) for handling emergency situation. PTI
