KARACHI, Pakistan (CMC) – The main group of West Indies players and officials touched down here late last night for the historic three-match Twenty20 series against Pakistan, with the remainder of the squad scheduled to arrive early today.

Eleven players were part of the contingent which arrived at the Jinnah International Airport at 21:30hrs (12:30hrs), and were greeted by Sindh Sports Minister Sardar Bux Mahar.

Stand-in captain Jason Mohammed was among the 11 who were presented with the traditional Ajrak’, a specially designed, colourful shawl peculiar to the Sindh province in southeast Pakistan.

Afterwards, the squad were whisked off to their hotel under tight security.

They are not expected to hold any media conferences or practice sessions before the opening game.

West Indies will clash with Pakistan in the opening T20 International today at the National Stadium here beginning at 20:00hrs (11:00hrs Eastern Caribbean time).

Matches will also be played tomorrow and Tuesday at the same venue, representing the first time in nine years a major Test-playing side have engaged in a bilateral tour of the country.

The Windies are a depleted squad, however, after several leading players – including regular captain Carlos Brathwaite – opted not to travel due to security concerns.

In 2009, a Sri Lanka team bus was attacked by militants, leaving several players injured and members of the security forces dead.

Since then, Pakistan have played all home series in United Arab Emirates.