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The South African cricket team arrived in Karachi on Saturday to play two trials and three Twenty20 internationals on their first tour of Pakistan in 14 years.
The team, led by goalie and hitter Quinton de Kock, was pulled out of the airport under state-level security provided by the hosts, the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Hello Karachi! ???????? ♀️ ????????????????????. #Proteas pic.twitter.com/1EhXaJyxTV
– Sipokazi Sokanyile (@ sipokazis86) January 16, 2021
The 21-member team had two Covid-19 tests prior to their departure from Johannesburg, all of which came back negative, and further tests will be conducted upon arrival.
Authorities say the team will remain in individual isolation until the results of the first round of testing are released before they begin training on a field adjacent to their hotel.
Pakistan and South Africa will play the first test in Karachi from January 26.
The second test begins in Rawalpindi from February 4, while Lahore will host the three Twenty20 international matches on February 11, 13 and 14.
A warm welcome to the team @OfficialCSA!#PAKvSA #HarHaalMainCricket pic.twitter.com/ApdnPYfazk
– Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 16, 2021
South Africa’s head coach Mark Boucher has shown satisfaction with the security arrangements in Pakistan.
“Our (security) guys went there (to Pakistan) and reconnoitred the situation and said it is safe,” Boucher told reporters before the team’s departure on Friday.
“For my part, there are no problems, we have to go back there and start playing cricket,” said Boucher, part of the last South African tour to Pakistan in 2007.
Security is FIRM! ????#Karachi #Pakistan #PAKvSA ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/SCjIOf22Pr
– Tabraiz Shamsi (@ shamsi90) January 16, 2021
International cricket was suspended in Pakistan following a terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in March 2009.
Pakistan has gradually re-hosted teams over the past five years before test cricket was revived in late 2019 when Sri Lanka toured for two tests.
In a late switch to the South African team, ailing fast bowler Ottneil Baartman was replaced by Marco Jansen, a 20-year-old left-arm Warriors closer.
Squad of South Africa:
Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Kyle Verreynne, Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde, Daryn Dupavillon, and Marco Jansen
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