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New Zealand Monday arrived in the hometown of Shoaib Akhtar, the man who destroyed them with his searing pace in Sunday's first One-Day International in Karachi.

On their arrival at the airport, the Black Caps were received by the officials of the Rawalpindi Cricket Association and the team later checked into an Islamabad hotel.

The New Zealanders, who lost the opening game by 153 runs with Shoaib, the 'Rawalpindi Express' taking a career-best six for 16, now go into the second day-night match at the Rawalpindi Stadium Wednesday.

While New Zealand may well be wondering what Shoaib would look like playing in front of his home crowd, the Pakistan manager Yawar Saeed said he was delighted that the tearaway bowler had now started thinking how to get the batsmen out.

"Shoaib has not just speed on his side, he is also bowling to a good line and length," Yawar told Dawn as his side also arrived on the same plane as New Zealand.

Yawar said that it was good that Pakistan were playing with passion and confidence. "Everybody is doing well and the team is playing like a well-knit unit." He pointed out that the players knew what their goals and objectives were. "I am confident that they will keep up the good work in the second match and further ahead in the series."

The Pakistan team is due to have nets at the match venue on Tuesday evening while the visitors will go through their paces in the morning.

© Dawn