New Delhi: Hours before its departure to Pakistan, the Indian cricket team was briefed about the security arrangements by two senior police officials in New Delhi this morning (Mar 10, 2004).

Inspector General of Police Yashowardhan Azad and Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Lall gave the cricketers an overview of the security plan before they board a special Indian Airlines flight this evening.

They said the security team had been divided into two groups. While Azad and Lall will stay with the cricketers till March 22, the second group comprising Deputy Inspector General of Police Dharmendra Kumar and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Delhi Police (Security) Prabhakar -- will take over the security liaison for the team from there onwards.

India are scheduled to play five one-day internationals and three Tests during their 40-day tour of Pakistan.

The security plan for players also include their evacuation in case of a militant attack. The do's and don'ts would prevent players as well as Indian Cricket Board officials from travelling alone or in small groups.

The Board officials were separately briefed yesterday (Mar 9) by four security officials.

Sources said the players would be given a thorough briefing at Karachi where the first one-dayer would be played on Saturday (Mar 13).

They said Pakistan security agencies were likely to deploy choppers for having an aerial view of the situation on the ground during the matches.