"We changed the plan for the team because of security reasons and drove the team to the national cricket academy in a special bus," police official Umar Virk told reporters outside the airport.

The Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked in Lahore in March. Eight people were killed and seven cricketers and their assistant coach injured in a gun and grenade attack blamed on a Taliban faction.

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final at Lord's on Sunday to clinch the World Twenty20 title -- their second major victory in the sport after winning the 50-over World Cup in Australia in 1992.

Captain Younis Khan and all-rounders Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam and Abdul Razzaq did not return as they had prior commitments in England.

Coach Intikhab Alam agreed fans should have been given a chance to welcome the players.

"I too am disappointed for the fans because they had come to welcome us so early in the day," Alam told reporters.

"I hope that there is a reception so that fans get a chance to see their players. They deserve this as they were the ones who prayed day and night for the team."

Alam, who was also team coach during the 1992 triumph, said the victory will help Pakistan push their case to stage World Cup 2011 matches.

"By winning this title we have pushed our case to get our 2011 World Cup matches back," said Alam.

"The team did very well when it mattered and beat formidable sides like South Africa and Sri Lanka in the last two matches."

The International Cricket Council stripped Pakistan of its share of matches in April this year, citing uncertain security in Pakistan following the attack on the Sri Lankan team.

Pakistan tried to get the matches back through talks which failed in London last week, and are now taking legal action to have the matches reinstated.