Dubai: Pakistan have arranged unprecedented security arrangements for Australian cricketers during the limited over series here, an official said today.

“We are indebted to Dubai and Abu Dhabi police for all the arrangements for the teams and match officials and hope everyone will enjoy cricket,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director of cricket operations Zakir Khan said.

Pakistan play Australia in the first of five one-day matches here on Wednesday. The second match will also be held in Dubai on Friday before the next three games (April 27, May 1 and 3) will be played in Abu Dhabi. The only Twenty20 match is in Dubai on May 7.

Security lapses dented Pakistan’s reputation as a safe cricket venue after last month’s attacks on the Sri Lankan

team bus, which left seven players and their assistant coach injured. Eight policemen were also killed.

The incident in Lahore put paid to Pakistan’s hopes of staging international cricket in the foreseeable future, with the International Cricket Council last week stripping the troubled country of their share of World Cup 2011 matches.

Even before the attacks on the Sri Lankan team, Pakistan had been a danger zone for foreign teams, with Australia refusing to play in the troubled country. It left Pakistan to relocate the series to United Arab Emirates. Khan said police control centres were formed to look after the security on match days.

Asked about security arrangements, Australian coach Tim Nielsen expressed satisfaction. “We have been looked after well. After arriving we had a good chat with the security guys who took us through the expectations of the group and how we should carry ourselves around Dubai. It’s fantastic,” said Nielsen.