Pakistan's touring cricketers were greeted by rain and the prospect of a washout as they arrived in the scenic northern hill resort of Dharamshala on Tuesday to kickstart their 50-day tour of India.
The tourists, due to take on the Indian Board President's XI in the three-day tour opener from Thursday, scrapped a scheduled practice session as incessant rain swept the area, better known as the home of Tibet's exiled leader, the Dalai Lama.
With bad weather forecast to continue till the weekend, Pakistan's lone practice match ahead of the first of three Tests starting in Mohali on March 8 threatens to be badly curtailed.
"We have the best facilities but we are helpless before nature," said Anurag Thakur, president of the host Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, which is organising its first international match.
"You can never predict the weather in Himachal Pradesh. Everybody is keeping their fingers crossed."
The tourists, who arrived in New Delhi on Monday, took an early morning chartered flight on Tuesday to Kangra, the nearest airport to Dharamshala, before an hour-long drive to their hotel.
Pakistan manager Salim Altaf told reporters his team was delighted to spend time in the cool climate of Dharamshala, but hoped the weather would not interfere with the cricket.
{{/usCountry}}Pakistan manager Salim Altaf told reporters his team was delighted to spend time in the cool climate of Dharamshala, but hoped the weather would not interfere with the cricket.
{{/usCountry}}"We are here to play and do not want to go into the Test series short of match practice," said Altaf. "I wish the rain would go away."
Pakistan will play three Tests and six One-Day Internationals on their first full tour of India since 1999.
The Board President's XI, led by international Mohammad Kaif, comprises young players on the fringe of Test selection.