Fleming satisfied with security in Pakistan

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 (Pakistan Cricket Board)," Fleming told a news conference on Thursday after his team arrived for their delayed tour.

New Zealand were on the way to Pakistan when the September 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 Pakistani authorities have stepped up security for the tourists, who are due to play three one-day internationals and two Test matches.

The first one-dayer will take place in the port city of Karachi on April 21 and the other two at Rawalpindi on April 24 and Lahore on April 27.

The two Tests will be played in Lahore from May 1 and Karachi from May 8.

Heavy contingents of police and paramilitary rangers greeted the Kiwis at Karachi airport on Thursday, when they arrived from Sharjah after failing to reach the final of a tri-nation one-day tournament won by Pakistan.

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.

"We are missing some key players and a few known players because of their injuries, but we have an ability to fight in a situation like this.

"At the end of this tour we are going to know a few new faces who will probably be the future for us at the (next) World Cup and it's a good opportunity for us to develop such players," he added

New Zealand's leading all-rounders Chris Cairns and Dion Nash, and fast bowler Shane Bond are missing the Pakistan tour through injury.

Batsman Lou Vincent has recovered from injury and will join the New Zealand squad. He suffered a bruised lung after being struck in the chest by a ball from England's Andy Caddick in the third Test two weeks ago.

Travelling with Vincent to join up with the squad will be wicketkeeper Robbie Hart.

Hart will replace the retired Adam Parore in the Test team and is also likely to take over in the one-dayers from Chris Nevin who damaged a hamstring in Sharjah.

New Zealand one-day squad: Stephen Fleming (captain), Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Ian Butler, James Franklin, Chris Harris, Matt Horne, Craig McMillan, Chris Nevin, Jacob Oman, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, Lou Vincent, Brooke Walker and Robbie Hart.

Mail Cricket Editor