Indian team arrives in Pakistan for third series in two years by AFP

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Event:

India in Pakistan 2005/06

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DateLine: 6th January 2006

 

The Indian cricket team flew into Pakistan late Thursday amid tight security at the airport in this eastern city, officials said.

 

India, led by Rahul Dravid, will play three Tests and five one-day internationals on their seven-week tour, their second across the border in two years.

 

Prior to their departure from New Delhi, Indian coach Greg Chappell described the series between the two South Asian rivals as the "biggest in world cricket."

 

"The Ashes (Test series between England and Australia) is there from a very long time ago but, going by the enthusiasm and interest, I think an India-Pakistan series is the biggest in world cricket," said Chappell.

 

"It's the marquee series of the sub-continent and promises to be exciting as both teams are in good form."

 

The 12-man team and 10 support staff, including a security manager, were greeted by Pakistan Cricket Board officials at the Allama Iqbal international airport.

 

About 500 police and commandos kept a strict vigil as the tourists were driven in a motorcade to their hotel. Police were deployed on the route from the airport to the hotel.

 

The Indian team manager said an exciting series would be in the offing.

 

"When India and Pakistan play, it's a series bigger than the Ashes, and I think it will be a very exciting and close series," Raj Singh Dungarpur told reporters.

 

The manager said cricket will once again promote peace in the region.

 

"Cricket has helped both the countries to come close to each other. We have the same food, same culture, and players like Sachin Tendulkar said that he never feels Pakistan and India are different."

 

The last tour's captain, Sourav Ganguly, leg-spinner Anil Kumble, opener Virender Sehwag and wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel will join the squad on Saturday, after featuring in a domestic match in India.

 

Both teams enjoyed successes at home recently, with Pakistan taming Ashes-winning England and India defeating Sri Lanka.

 

India won both the Test and one-day series on their previous tour of Pakistan in 2004. The following year, Pakistan drew a three-Test series 1-1 in India before winning the one-dayers 4-2.

 

Indian squad: Rahul Dravid (capt), Virender Sehwag (vice-capt), Gautam Gambhir, Wasim Jaffer, Sachin Tendulkar, Venkatsai Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Sourav Ganguly, Mahendra Dhoni, Parthiv Patel, Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar, Rudra Pratap Singh, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)