South African skipper Quinton de Kock says top-notch security surrounding the squad since their arrival in Pakistan at the weekend has allowed them to concentrate fully on cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
De Kock is leading a 21-strong squad on South Africa's first tour to Pakistan in 14 years, where they will play two Tests and three Twenty20 internationals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The first Test starts in Karachi on January 26.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"When we were coming here, obviously, security was a concern - if not the biggest concern<\/strong>," the 28-year-old told a virtual news conference. <\/p>\r\n\r\n "When we landed here we saw the amount of security... we became a lot calmer. It became less of a worry and we were able to focus more on cricket.<\/strong>"<\/p>\r\n\r\n Pakistan went years without playing home games after militant Islamists attacked the team bus of the Sri Lankan side in 2009.<\/p>\r\n\r\n They have hosted a few limited-overs matches since 2015, but Test cricket only resumed in December 2019. <\/p>\r\n\r\n "It looks like all corners are checked... all bases covered, touch wood<\/strong>," said de Kock.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "At the moment we feel safe. There is a lot of security, so now we are just worrying about cricket<\/strong>."<\/p>\r\n\r\n The squad is being kept effectively in a bubble at their Karachi hotel as a precaution against the coronavirus but can train at a nearby club ground.<\/p>\r\n\r\n All matches will be played behind closed doors, however, as Pakistan grapples with an epidemic that has officially infected over half a million people and killed more than 10,000.<\/p>\r\n\r\n De Kock admitted playing conditions in Pakistan were unknown for the squad, although head coach Mark Boucher toured in 1997, 2003, and 2007 as a player. <\/p>\r\n\r\n "We do understand that spin plays a big part in the subcontinent so we will have all our bases covered<\/strong>," said de Kock, who will play his 50th Test in Karachi. <\/p>\r\n\r\n The second Test will be played in Rawalpindi from February 4, while Lahore will host all three Twenty20 internationals on February 11, 13 14. <\/p>\r\n",
"image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2021\/01\/south-africa-impressed-with-pakistan-security,-says-skipper-quinton-de-kock.jpg",
"alt_img": "Cricket Image for PAK vs SA: South Africa Impressed With Pakistan Security, Says Skipper Quinton De ",
"alt_title": "PAK vs SA: South Africa Impressed With Pakistan Security, Says Skipper Quinton De Kock",
"image1": "",
"video": "",
"seo_title": "PAK vs SA: South Africa Impressed With Pakistan Security, Says Skipper Quinton De Kock On Cricketnmore",
"seo_desc": "South African skipper Quinton de Kock says top-notch security surrounding the squad since their arrival in Pakistan at the weekend has allowed them to concentrate fully on cricket.",
"seo_keywords": "Quinton De Kock, Pakistan Cricket, pakistan cricket news, Test Cricket, South Africa vs Pakistan, South Africa Tour Of Pakistan",
"tag": "",
"tagging": "Quinton De Kock,Pakistan Cricket,pakistan cricket news,Test Cricket,South Africa vs Pakistan,South Africa Tour Of Pakistan,",
"status": "1",
"img_rpt": "0",
"google": "1",
"standout": "0",
"edapps": "0",
"pulse": "0",
"no_index": "0",
"feed": "0",
"fixture": "0",
"slug": "pak-vs-sa-south-africa-impressed-with-pakistan-security-says-skipper-quinton-de-kock",
"user_id": "0",
"read_count": "0",
"ians_date": "0000-00-00",
"ians_time": "00:00:00",
"server_time": "0000-00-00 00:00:00",
"trash": "0",
"view_count": "1227",
"page_break": "0",
"instant_articles": "1",
"auto_link": "1",
"created": "2021-01-18 22:19:05",
"updated": "2021-01-18 22:19:36",
"img_from": "Quinton De Kock (Image Source: Google)",
"img_source": "",
"schedule_publish": "0000-00-00 00:00:00",
"news_keywords": "South Africa Cricket Team, Cricket South Africa, Pakistan vs South Africa, Test Cricket, Quinton De Kock, Security Management, Karachi",
"livescore_text": "",
"livescore_link": "",
"btn_text": "",
"resend_feed": "0",
"google_feed": "0",
"read_more": "1",
"posted_by": "27",
"jio_date": "2021-01-18 22:19:05",
"scheduled": "0",
"news_now": "1",
"breaking_news": "0",
"google_date": "2021-01-18 22:19:05",
"featured": "0",
"pred_match_id": null,
"article_content_type": null,
"link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/pak-vs-sa-south-africa-impressed-with-pakistan-security-says-skipper-quinton-de-kock-70438"
}