MULTAN, Sept 28: Zimbabwe cricket squad was accorded a traditional welcome when it reached here on Tuesday to play the opening one-day international of triangular series against Pakistan at Multan Cricket Stadium (MCS) on Sept 30.

It would be the second one-day international at Multan cricket stadium after the one held last year that was won by Pakistan by 137 runs against Bangladesh. PCB officials said, Pakistan Cricket squad would arrive here on Wednesday to play the opening match of triangular series featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwean team and officials were escorted to the hotel under stringent security measures. Meanwhile, work on the pitch continued on Tuesday under supervision of PCB officials concerned.

" Ninty per cent of work has been done and the turf would be ready well before the match," said a PCB official. "We expect Multanites would get good entertainment." Zimbabwe squad would have a session in the nets on Wednesday morning and then their captain and manager would hold a press conference at the stadium.

Pakistan team would also have a session of physical exercises and a practice session in the nets the same day. MCS has also hosted two Tests, one between Pakistan and Bangladesh in 2001-02 which Pakistan had won by a huge margin of an innings and 264 runs.

However, Pakistan had lost the last Test played on this ground against India by an innings and 52 runs in 2003-04. Meanwhile, all arrangements have been finalized for the match from ground preparation to seating arrangements. -APP