Ground Zero: India arrive in Pakistan
The Indian cricket team arrived in Pakistan on Thursday night amidst stringent security arrangements. However, there was not much of a crowd to welcome them at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore.
The flight that brought them to Lahore was delayed due to inclement winter weather, which also threatens to disrupt the series.
India and Pakistan play a 3-Test and 5-ODI match series.
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Captain Rahul Dravid boards the team bus after arriving in Lahore.
BTW: - What is that expression of the bus driver???
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Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who surpassed Sunil Gavaskar's record of 34 Test centuries in the home series against Sri Lanka in December, smiles at photographers as pace bowler Zaheer Khan looks on.
"We have over 500 policemen from the elite force and paramilitary forces guarding the airport and the route to the hotel," a senior police officer told Reuters as the aircraft touched down after a three and a half-hour delay.
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Wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, his locks intact, Mumbai opener Wasim Jaffer and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh head to the bus from the baggage carousal.
As part of the security arrangements, barricades had been set up at the terminal building to allow the players and officials to exit the airport quickly and to prevent the crowds from approaching them.
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A Pakistani police officer escorts the wives of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman into the bus.
Six armoured cars, each carrying 12 fully armed security personnel, gave the team bus a clean passageway to the hotel.
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The Indian squad arrived without four players: former captain Sourav Ganguly, vice-captain Virender Sehwag, senior pro Anil Kumble and reserve keeper Parthiv Patel, all of who have stayed behind to complete appearances in the Ranji Trophy. They will join the squad on Saturday.
Miro
The Indian cricket team arrived in Pakistan on Thursday night amidst stringent security arrangements. However, there was not much of a crowd to welcome them at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore.
The flight that brought them to Lahore was delayed due to inclement winter weather, which also threatens to disrupt the series.
India and Pakistan play a 3-Test and 5-ODI match series.
<div class='bbimg'>
Captain Rahul Dravid boards the team bus after arriving in Lahore.
BTW: - What is that expression of the bus driver???
<div class='bbimg'>
Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who surpassed Sunil Gavaskar's record of 34 Test centuries in the home series against Sri Lanka in December, smiles at photographers as pace bowler Zaheer Khan looks on.
"We have over 500 policemen from the elite force and paramilitary forces guarding the airport and the route to the hotel," a senior police officer told Reuters as the aircraft touched down after a three and a half-hour delay.
<div class='bbimg'>
Wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, his locks intact, Mumbai opener Wasim Jaffer and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh head to the bus from the baggage carousal.
As part of the security arrangements, barricades had been set up at the terminal building to allow the players and officials to exit the airport quickly and to prevent the crowds from approaching them.
<div class='bbimg'>
A Pakistani police officer escorts the wives of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman into the bus.
Six armoured cars, each carrying 12 fully armed security personnel, gave the team bus a clean passageway to the hotel.
<div class='bbimg'>
The Indian squad arrived without four players: former captain Sourav Ganguly, vice-captain Virender Sehwag, senior pro Anil Kumble and reserve keeper Parthiv Patel, all of who have stayed behind to complete appearances in the Ranji Trophy. They will join the squad on Saturday.
Miro