Quinton de Kock has lauded the security arrangements laid out for South Africa on their first tour of Pakistan in 14 years and says the players are “a lot calmer” about the tour now that they have arrived in the country and seen the measures first-hand.

South Africa will play two Tests and three T20Is on their return to Pakistan for the first time since a militant attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009 that killed six policemen and two civilians.

“When we were coming here, it was the biggest concern, but when we landed and saw the amount of security, we became a lot calmer. Over the days, it has become less of a worry and we have been focussed more on the cricket,” the South African captain told reporters on Monday.

“The measures they (the Pakistan government) have taken have allowed us to feel comfortable and just focus on preparing for the Test series.
“Every corner is checked and all bases are covered. We feel safe and for now are just worrying about cricket.” The first Test in Karachi starts on January 26 and will be followed by the second in Rawalpindi from February 4.