The first Test of England's tour of India will not be played out in an empty Mohali stadium - as was feared - after the Punjab government scrapped plans to levy an entertainment tax on ticket prices. The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president Inderjit Singh Bindra had warned that the imposition of the tax would have led to a 125% price hike, making it uneconomic to print the match tickets. Pressure was also brought to bear by Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of the Indian board, who warned that unless sport was exempted, then next year's ICC Knockout could not take place in India.

The PCA are still in dispute with the local police, who claim they are owed $180,000 for arranging security during a one-day international against Pakistan in 1999. The PCA deny that any money is outstanding, insisting that it was the duty of the police to provide the service.

But for the moment, the latest of the problems besetting England's tour has been resolved. England embark on the first leg of their two-part tour on Tuesday.

"It's been sorted out and England can expect a full house for the match," said a spokesman. "There is already a lot of interest in the game."

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