CALCUTTA, May 26: If bookies are to be believed, the odds are staked against Pakistan in the second final of the Independence Cup. Although betting in cricket is illegal in the subcontinent, that is one thing the police has been unable to check.

Even as Pakistan prepare to take on Sri Lanka, bookies are keeping themselves busy, although in a clandestine manner. The starting bet favours Sri Lanka. For every Rs. 100 you put on Lanka, you are likely to get back Rs 170 to Rs 175. However, if you put your Rs 100 on Pakistan, you will get back Rs 230 to Rs 140.

Betting is, however, not as simple as it looks. Everytime a wicket falls, the rates change. It also depends on the wicket that falls. If Sanat Jayasuriya goes back early, the rates are likely to swing in favour of Pakistan more than if Marvan Attapattu is out cheaply.

The Calcutta Police, however, promises to come down sharply on betting. Cellular phones and pagers will not be allowed inside the stadium. But then how can they check betting outside the stadium? Police officials know they are stumped here.

On Monday, however, bookies have been doing good business, accepting bets through whispers and through `trusted sources' at the rate of 70-75 paise for Sri Lanka and 130-140 paise for Pakistan. A moderate bookie can make around Rs 5 lakh through this racket. Although India's early exit is likely to cause a dull betting, the bookies expect anywhere between Rs 50 to 100 crore to be put in the market.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.