Even as International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Haroon Lorgat has proudly claimed that there has been no black marketing of tickets during the ongoing World Cup, a local tuk-tuk driver was spotted selling 2,000 LKR tickets for 8,000 LKR here at the Sinhalese Sports Club just an hour before the commencement of the first semi-final at Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday.

The Sunday Leader had reported a day after the quarter-final that three drivers in Maligawatta were carrying out the sale of tickets.

"We can assure you that the World Cup is free of black marketing. We certainly do not tolerate the black marketing of tickets. Wherever we have found such instances, we have taken action," Lorgat told reporters before the India-Australia quarter-final at Motera Stadium.

MiD DAY contacted Suraj Dandeniya, the Head of World Cup Organising Committee. "Yes, we admit that there has been rampant black marketing. But we can assure you that Sri Lanka Cricket is not involved in any way.

These tickets are being sold by normal spectators who have purchased tickets in bulk - and now selling for huge amounts. We are helpless," he said.