Kolkata: Pakistan cricket team arrived in India today to take part in the World T20. The Pakistan contingent comprising of 15 players and 12 officials and support staff Pakistan reached the Netaji Subhas International Airport in Kolkata at 7:55 pm. The 27-member Pakistan cricket contingent arrived in the city from Abu Dhabi, finally ending days of suspension over their participation in the mega event.
Afridi and his boys were taken out of the airport through Gate 5A of the airport. There were tight security arrangements for the Pakistani contingent with hundreds of security personnel from CISF and black cat commandos maintaining a vigil as the players came out of the airport. Trained commandos of Kolkata Police were also deployed to provide tight security for the Pak team. Hundreds of fans gathered at the airport to show a sporting gesture as they welcomed the Pakistan team. The Pakistani skipper reciprocated the warm gestures, waving at the crowd before leading his teammates into two buses as they went straight to the team hotel.
First to come out of the airport was manager Intikhab Alam . Mr Alam was followed by Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi and the rest of the players followed. It took about an hour for the Pakistan players to clear their immigration formalities.
Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Abdul Basit welcomed the cricket team on their arrival here. “Welcome to India Team Pakistan, play your best and the cup is ours, we will be in Kolkata to cheer you up,” he tweeted. The Pakistan women’s team also landed in Chennai today to the take part in the Women’s World T20.
Due to the delay in their arrival, the Pakistan mens team has missed out on a warm-up match against Bengal which was scheduled for yesterday. They will now play a practice game against Sri Lanka here on Monday. Their first match of the main tournament will be held at Eden Gardens on March 16 against a qualifier team, followed by the marquee clash against arch-rival India at the same venue on March 19. They will then take on New Zealand (March 22) and Australia (March 25) in their remaining Group B matches — both in Mohali.