The South African cricket team arrived in Pakistan amid heavy security early on Tuesday for a month-long tour that will include two Test matches and five one-day internationals.
A dozen Pakistani police commandos cordoned off the arrival terminal at Allama Iqbal International airport before the South Africans were escorted to their hotel by a squad of 20 police vehicles.
South African cricket authorities intitially cancelled the trip following a bomb explosion in the port city of Karachi on September 19.
But the tour was later rescheduled, with Karachi as well as the city Peshawar scrapped from the itinerary because of security concerns.
”I am happy that South African cricketers have arrived and I hope they left whatever happened in the last week behind them,” said South Africa’s high commissioner in Pakistan, M Moola.
Dozens of policemen were on alert at the Pearl Continental hotel, where the team is staying, and sniffer dogs checked the hotel’s second floor before the team’s arrival.
Led by Graeme Smith, South Africa start their campaign with a one-day warm-up game against City Nazim XI on Wednesday, with the first one-day international scheduled for Friday.
Experienced opener Gary Kirsten, one of four South African players who toured Pakistan during the 1997-98 season, will join the team before the Test matches begin later in October. He will replace medium fast bowler Alan Dawson. Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock and Paul Adams have also previously toured Pakistan. — Sapa-AP
South African team: Graeme Smith (captain), Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock, Neil McKenzie, Jacques Rudolph, Robin Peterson, Andrew Hall, Alan Dawson, Makhaya Ntini, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Paul Adams. Eric Simons (coach), Cassim Docrat (manager).