KARACHI, March 11: The Indian cricket team is expected to arrive here on Friday to prepare Saturday's opening One-day International against Pakistan at the National Stadium.

Saurav Ganguly's squad will be provided the most stringent security possible during its 32-hour stay in the city before leaving for Rawalpindi straight from the stadium immediately after the match on Saturday evening.

The tourists will be escorted from the Quaid-i-Azam International Airport to their hotel and from there to the stadium by special trained police commandos. The Indians will have nets in late afternoon. Prior to the training session, Ganguly and John Wright, India's New Zealand coach, will attend the pre-series media briefing at 2.45pm at the NSK's media centre.

Meanwhile, Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, and coach Javed Miandad will talk to reporters at 2.15pm. The home side will have their final practice before the match in the first half of the day.

Meanwhile, Pakistan fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed is fighting against time to get fit for the first One-day International. Shabbir had three stitches inserted on the little finger of his left-hand after sustaining injury during a practice match at Lahore last week.

Riaz Ahmed, Pakistan team doctor, said on Thursday that the Khanewal-born paceman was expected to be fit for the crucial opener. But he added that Shabbir required more time to fully recover.

"This sort of finger injury has to be monitored properly. The soft tissues beneath the skin take time to heal. The exterior part is okay, but because of the slow healing process there is the danger of aggravating (the injury) further," he explained.