Pakistan team arrives for series against India

NEW DELHI: Carrying the hopes of millions of cricket fans back home, the Pakistan cricket team landed here on Thursday evening for a high voltage series against arch rivals India.
    
The 15-member squad, led by the young Shoaib Malik, landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at around 4.30 pm, setting the stage for yet another engrossing battle of skill and nerve between the two traditional rivals.
    
After a brief reception ceremony, the team came out around 5.10 pm through the terminal transfer lounge amidst cheers from waiting fans.
    
The players, clad in green blazers, boarded the team bus and immediately drove down to a city hotel, escorted by two pilot cars.
    
Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) Sports Secretary Sunil Dev presented a bouquet to skipper Malik, after which the team was whisked away to the hotel. Some other top DDCA officials were also present at the airport.
    
A group of students from Pakistan Embassy were also there to greet the players. The Students were wearing 'Go Pakistan' caps and were accompanied by Embassy officials.
    
The team will warm-up for the month-long tour with a match against the Delhi Ranji Trophy team here tomorrow before travelling to Guhawati for the first one-dayer to be held on November 5.
    
The team, which suffered a jolt in the morning with top paceman Mohammed Asif being ruled out for the ODIs because of an elbow injury, will play five one-dayers and three Tests during their stay in India.