KATHMANDU, March 24: The Nepalese authorities have made elaborate security arrangements for the two-match friendly international series between Nepal and Pakistan commencing from March 26 in Pokhara.

Pakistan is the most successful nation among the SAGS members with four golds (1989, 1991, 2004, 2006) while Nepal earned gold in 1984 when the event was launched, followed by another triumph at Dhaka 1993.

The two matches will be guarded by around four hundred security personnel of the Nepal police at the FIFA-recognized series that aims at providing useful match experience to both the South Asian nations ahead of the second AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers and the seventh SAFF Championship.

Meanwhile, Pakistani team, under head coach Akhtar Mohiuddin, reached Kathmandu on Monday. The 23-member squad is led by Khan Research Laboratories’ striker Muhammad Essa while Mahendra Police FC defender Rakesh Shrestha will be leading Nepal.

Rakesh earned silver for his side in Lahore’s AFC President Cup last year and represented Nepal in 6th SAFF Championship 2005 at Karachi. Both Essa and Rakesh captained their teams in the two-legged 19th World Cup qualifiers last year against Iraq and Oman respectively.—APP