145;Security problem won146;t affect us146;

New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming and manager John Dykes today said safety fears in Pakistan would not affect their team8217;s pe...

New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming and manager John Dykes today said safety fears in Pakistan would not affect their team8217;s performance, after they arrived here under heavy security.

8220;Natural apprehensions remain there, but after security assurances by Pakistan Cricket Board PCB we hope it would be a good, trouble-free tour and players would give their best,8221; Dykes told a press conference here.

Large numbers of police and paramilitary troops greeted the 8217;black caps8217; as they were escorted from the airport to their hotel at the start of a 25-day tour.

The tour had been due to take place in September and October last year, but was postponed following the September 11 attacks in the United States.

8220;There were real security concerns when we postponed that tour but since New Zealand Cricket NZC remained committed to honour the commitment, we are delighted to be here,8221; Dykes said.

Pakistani authorities have promised 8220;fool proof8221; security for the tourists who agreed to reschedule the tour only after Pakistan8217;s interior ministry guaranteed the visitors safe exit in the event of a security alert.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, who leads the team on the heels of a tri-series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Sharjah, where they failed to reach the final, said players are well aware of all off-field issues.

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8220;We are aware of everything, including security, but we will not be bothered as we are given assurances which look satisfying,8221; said fleming, a veteran of New Zealand8217;s last tour to Pakistan in 1996-97.

The tourists will play their first match in the port city of Karachi on Sunday, where Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and executed by Islamic extremists earlier this year. The remaining two One-dayers will be played at Rawalpindi on April 24 and Lahore on April 27. The first Test will start in Lahore from May 1 while the second is scheduled at Karachi from May 8-12.