DHARAMSHALA, March 1: Pakistan's touring cricketers were greeted by rain and the prospect of a washout as they arrived in this scenic northern hill resort on Tuesday to kick start their 50-day tour of India.

The tourists, due to take on the Indian board president's team in the three-day tour opener from Thursday, scrapped a scheduled practice session as incessant rain swept the area, better known as the home of Tibet's exiled leader, the Dalai Lama.

With bad weather forecast to continue till the weekend, Pakistan's lone practice match ahead of the first of three Tests starting in Mohali on March 8 threatens to be badly curtailed.

"We have the best facilities but we are helpless before nature," said Anurag Thakur, president of the host Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, which is organising its first international match.

"You can never predict the weather in Himachal Pradesh. Everybody is keeping their fingers crossed." The tourists, who arrived in New Delhi on Monday, took an early morning chartered flight on Tuesday to Kangra, the nearest airport to Dharamshala, before an hour-long drive to their hotel.

Pakistan manager Salim Altaf told reporters his team was delighted to spend time in the cool climate of Dharamshala, but hoped the weather would not interfere with the cricket.

"We are here to play and do not want to go into the Test series short of match practice," said Salim. "I wish the rain would go away." Pakistan will play three Tests and six One-day Internationals on their first full tour of India since 1999.

The board president's team, led by international Mohammad Kaif, comprises young players on the fringe of Test selection. Organisers confirmed the Dalai Lama would not inaugurate the tour opener after reports the Pakistanis were unhappy with his attendance.

Media reports on Monday said the Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Khan had told Indian officials Pakistan should not be put in an embarrassing position since it enjoys very good relations with China.

A statement from the Tibetan leader's office said the Dalai Lama had decided not to accept the invitation by the organisers. Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricket team are concerned that their travel arrangements could hinder their preparation for next week's first Test against India.

The players were forced to take turns to board a small plane out of New Delhi on Tuesday because the Himalayan town of Dharamsala, the venue for their opening three-day warmup match, only has a small airstrip.

Team manager Salim Altaf said the arrangements could affect their build-up for the first Test starting in Mohali on March 8. "We realise the problem is one of logistics," Altaf told reporters. "There is some concern."

"If we have to go back the same way we came, in two flights, then we may not be able to practice on Sunday. We will get only one day's nets in Mohali." Altaf said the Pakistan management would ask the Indian cricket board to arrange to take the team to Mohali earlier than scheduled to allow some extra practice.

Having arrived here, the players were then frustrated by an afternoon drizzle which ruled out any nets ahead of the game against the Cricket Board President's XI starting on Thursday. -Reuters