Cricket teams land in city for second Test

The Hyderabad Cricket Association on Tuesday accorded a red-carpet welcome to India and New Zealand cricket teams at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad.

The teams arrived in Hyderabad for the second Test match to be played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium from November 12.

The teams were flown in by a special charter flight from Ahmedabad, stated Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) president Arshad Ayub.

Welcoming the teams, Arshad Ayub told media persons that the teams would get down to practice from Wednesday.

This is the first Test match to be hosted by the HCA after 1988-89 and also the first to be played at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium. The stadium had begun hosting international cricket matches in 2005-06 with the One-Day International between India and South Africa.

Arshad Ayub told media persons that he expected a smooth Test match and did not foresee any trouble from Telangana protagonists.

Earlier Telangana groups had alleged that Telangana youth had not been properly represented in the playing squads and threaten to disrupt matches.

The state police have assured to provide adequate security for the event, Ayub said.

Ayub also said the sale of tickets would begin from tomorrow at branches of UCO Bank and e-Seva centres at various places in the city.