Pak vs WI: Shoaib Malik welcomes Nicholas Pooran, hopes he will enjoy Pakistan's hospitality

• Nicholas Pooran visits Pakistan for the first time.
• Shoaib Malik sure he will enjoy playing in the country.
• Windies will play three T20, three ODIs in Karachi.

Senior all-rounder Shoaib Malik welcomed West Indies T20I captain Nicholas Pooran to Pakistan as the Windies on Thursday arrived in the country for T20I and ODI series against the Men In Green.

Local officials hope that the arrival of the Windies will scotch bitter memories of a New Zealand tour abandoned on security grounds.

The Windies will play three T20 and three one-day internationals — all in the port city of Karachi — starting Monday, their first visit since 2018.

"Happy to be in Pakistan for the first time!" Pooran said in a tweet.

Responding to Pooran, Malik said: "Welcome to Pakistan!!! @nicholas_47."

"I am sure you will love our hospitality & will enjoy the games...," the all-rounder said.

The series comes three months after New Zealand quit their first tour to the country in 18 years shortly before the opening match was due to start following a security alert.

That was followed by England's decision to withdraw visits by their men's and women's teams scheduled for October.

Pakistan officials were furious with the cancellations, arguing security measures were lock-tight.

The cricket-mad nation endured a long spell without a visit from an international team following a terror attack on a bus carrying the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009.

Pakistan were forced to play their home international matches abroad — mostly in the United Arab Emirates — until 2015 when normal service tentatively resumed.

This West Indian squad is somewhat understrength, with regulars Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell, and Lendl Simmons all opting out for personal reasons.

Former skipper Jason Holder is being rested, while Fabian Allen and Obed McCoy are out because of injuries.

Last week captain Kieron Pollard also withdrew through a hamstring injury, leaving the Twenty20 leadership to Nicholas Pooran and ODIs to Shai Hope.

The three T20Is are on December 13, 14, and 16, while the ODIs will be on December 18, 20, and 22.

Squads

T20I: Nicholas Pooran (captain), Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr, Rovman Powell.

ODI: Shai Hope (captain), Nicholas Pooran, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr, Devon Thomas.