South Africa arrive for first Pakistan tour in 14 years, #WelcomeToPakistan trends on Twitter

The South African cricket team arrived in Karachi on Saturday to play two Tests and three Twenty20 internationals on their first tour of Pakistan in 14 years.

The team, led by wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock, was whisked from the airport under state-head level security accorded by the hosts, the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Welcome back to Pakistan.🇵🇰
It was a long wait.#WelcomeToPakistan pic.twitter.com/9es2N0YVy0

— Tahreem🌸 (@tweetsbytahreem) January 16, 2021

The 21-member squad had two Covid-19 tests before their departure from Johannesburg which all came back negative, and they will be further tested on their arrival.

#WelcomeToPakistan 🇵🇰🇵🇰

A warm welcome to team @OfficialCSA to Beautiful Pakistan the Land of Civilizations, Hospitality, Adventure, History, Cultural Beauty and Heritage. pic.twitter.com/V2Ke1S4AMi

— #BeautifulPakistan🇵🇰🇵🇰 (@LandofPakistan) January 16, 2021

Officials say the squad will stay in individual isolation until the results of the first round of testing are released before they start training in a ground adjacent to their hotel.

A warm welcome to team @OfficialCSA!#PAKvSA #HarHaalMainCricket pic.twitter.com/ApdnPYfazk

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 16, 2021

After the end of the quarantine period, the team will start practice training at Karachi’s National Stadium, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Pakistan and South Africa will play the first Test in Karachi from January 26.

The second Test starts in Rawalpindi from February 4 while Lahore will host all three Twenty20 internationals on February 11, 13 and 14.

South Africa’s head coach Mark Boucher has showed satisfaction with the security arrangements in Pakistan.