World T20: Pakistan arrives in Kolkata amid high security

27-member Pakistani contingent arrived at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on Saturday evening

Pakistan cricket team arrived in Kolkata, the capital of India’s West Bengal state, on Saturday evening amid tight security to take part in the World Twenty20 cricket tournament.

Before arriving in the Indian city, the 27-member Pakistani squad reached Abu Dhabi from Lahore and rested for some time before boarding a flight for Kolkata.



Indian security personnel stand guard as Pakistan cricket team arrive for the T20 World Cup cricket tournament at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on March 12, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

The contingent, comprising 15 players, 12 officials and support staff, reached the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport at 7:55 pm amid tight security only a day after the cricket board received a green signal from the government to travel to India.

Hundreds of fans gathered at the airport to welcome the Pakistani team as skipper Shahid Afridi and other players came out of the airport, according to The Times of India.

WATCH: Pakistan cricket team arrives in Kolkata #WT20https://t.co/hpn2vCwwh3

— ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2016

Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Afridi (C) looks on as the team arrives for the T20 World Cup cricket tournament at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on March 12, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

“Afridi reciprocated the warm gestures, waving at the crowd before leading his team-mates into two buses as they went straight to the team hotel,” it said.



Due to the delay in arrival, the team has missed out on a warm-up match against Bengal which was scheduled for Friday. However, they will play a practice game against Sri Lanka on Monday.

PHOTO: AFP

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.



The Pakistan team was to fly out on Wednesday but the government put their departure on hold, citing security concerns. On Thursday, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan ruled out sending the team until special security assurances were met from India.

The matter was solved following security assurances from the Indian government.

This article originally appeared on The Times of India.