Zimbabwe begin tour of Pakistan without their Indian coach

Board says Lalchand Rajput won't travel after request for exemption from Indian Embassy

Chamunorwa Chibhabha adjusts his face mask at Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare. Zimbabwe are touring Pakistan for a limited overs series. AFP

Zimbabwe players at the Robert Mugabe International Airport prior to the start if their tour of Pakistan. AFP

Zimbabwean captain Chamu Chibhabha at the Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare. AFP

Sean Williams, centre, loads his cricket bag at the Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare. AFP

Top order batsman Tinashe Kamunhukamwe ahead of the start of the tour of Pakistan. AFP

Zimbabwean will play three ODIs and as many T20s in Pakistan. AFP

Zimbabwean captain Chamu Chibhabha in Harare. AFP

Zimbabwe's first match against Pakistan is on October 30. AFP

Zimbabwe's national team arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday for their limited-overs tour, without their Indian coach who had to opt out.

Zimbabwe are scheduled to play three ODIs and as many T20s in the country, with the first match slated for October 30 in Rawalpindi after the players complete the mandatory quarantine period.

Coach Lalchand Rajput did not travel with the contingent despite being granted a visa by Pakistan. Zimbabwe Cricket said they had been asked by the Indian Embassy in Harare that "Rajput be exempted from visiting Pakistan".

"Zimbabwe head coach Rajput will miss the Pakistan tour after Indian embassy in Harare wrote to us asking that Rajput, who is an Indian national, be exempted from visiting Pakistan," their statement read.

In Rajput's absence, bowling coach Douglas Hondo will manage the team.

Relations between India and Pakistan have worsened since last year, severing most cultural and trade ties between the South Asian neighbours.

Zimbabwe's tour includes three ODIs in Rawalpindi on October 30, November 1 and 3, and three T20s in Lahore on November 7, 8 and 10.

Zimbabwe were the first team to end Pakistan's five-year isolation by touring in 2015. South Africa are expected to visit Pakistan in January, while England are in talks to tour there for the first time since 2005 for a three-match Twenty20 series, also in January.