Hussain Talat, Asif Ali receive Twenty20 caps at National Stadium

Pakistan and West Indies would play first game of the three-match T20 series today at the National Stadium, marking the return of international cricket to the metropolis after a long period of nine years.

The match is taking place in the city a week after successful holding of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final.

The West Indian team arrived from Dubai through two separate flights, one in the last night and the other on early morning today in Karachi where strict security arrangements were made.

Young emerging cricketers Hussain Talat and Asif Ali are making Twenty20 International debut in the first match of the three-T20I series against West Indies here at the National Stadium today.

Hussain Talat has received his T20I cap from former captain Ramiz Raja whereas Asif Ali has been given the cap by Waqar Younis.

However, Shaheen Afridi will have to wait for making his international debut.

The local administration has allocated Hakeem Saeed Ground, Urdu University Ground, Gharib Nawaz Football ground and few more open spaces for car parking from where people would be transported to the stadium through special shuttle service.

Cricket was driven from the country after a deadly militant attack targeting the Sri Lanka team in 2009.

Last weekend Karachi became the second major venue to host international matches after Lahore hosted five international matches against Zimbabwe in 2015, as well as the PSL final in March last year, three World XI matches in September and one against Sri Lanka a month later.