KARACHI, April 18: New Zealand’s one-day cricket squad arrived here Thursday surrounded by tight security as part of a 25-day tour.

Large numbers of police and paramilitary troops greeted the Black Caps as they were escorted from the airport to their hotel.

The tour had been due to take place in September to October last year but was postponed in the aftermath of the terror attacks in the United States.

Pakistani authorities have promised ‘foolproof’ security for the tourists who agreed to reschedule the tour only after Pakistan’s interior ministry guaranteed the visitors safe exit in the event of a security alert.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is confident his players will feel at ease on their tour of Pakistan because of security measures taken by the host country.

“We came here with the confidence that things have settled down... I am sure the players will be very much at ease on the security offered by the PCB,” Fleming said.

New Zealand were on the way to Pakistan when the Sept 11 attacks on the United States forced them to return home.

“There will be a natural apprehension, but we believe things have improved here,” Fleming said.

The visitors were escorted by security agencies from the airport to their hotel.

“It’s a very important tour for us and we are aware of security concerns, but we will not be bothered as we are given assurance (about security),” Fleming said.—AFP/Reuters