25 February 2004	Wednesday	04 Muharram 1425

LAHORE, Feb 24: Pakistani cricket captain Inzamam-ul Haq Tuesday asked his teammates to demonstrate discipline and sportsmanship in the historic upcoming series with India.

"I don't want any misconduct or verbal exchanges as we need to play in the true spirit of the game," Inzamam directed his players on the first day of the training camp.

"After all this is just a game of cricket and nothing more, the same appeal is to fans also and they must take it as cricket," he said, reflecting concerns over traditional passion-fired encounters on the field between the two rivals in the past.

India is to tour Pakistan next month amid a current thaw in relations between the two countries with both governments vowing to keep the momentum for peace going.

The tune-up camp with a preliminary squad of 24 in attendance is for next month's historic series with India between March 13-April 17 with five one-day games and three Tests.

India is taking up a tour of Pakistan for the first time since 1989-90. "Billions of people will be watching us on television and I think it is a great opportunity for us to prove to the world that we are a sporting nation and play the game in its true spirit," said Inzamam, who was also part of the team on Pakistan's last tour to India five years ago.

Pakistan Cricket Board and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) agreed to a final tour programme last Saturday. India opens the tour with a one-day in Karachi on March 13, three days after they are scheduled to arrive in Lahore.

Pakistan hoped the ties are revived for continuity and would not be interrupted. "I firmly believe the more we play against each other, the better we will get and these ties will continue," said Inzamam.

"India has got great batters and we respect them. But at the same time, we know that they have great respect for our bowlers. So, it is going to be a keenly contested series."

"Anyone performing better on that particular day, will help his team dominate the match," the Pakistan captain said. And he believed if his side keeps the winning momentum of last year and that of last month in New Zealand, they will have an edge.

"If we manage to keep our season's momentum going, I think we can extend our sequence of victories. But then again, its just a game of cricket in which there will be a winner and a loser."

Inzamam hoped pep talks from bowling legends Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Fazal Mahmood would help his side ahead of the explosive series. "There is no greater motivator than Imran who can pass on his invaluable experience of playing and performing against India," he said.

Imran agreed to spend one-day with Pakistan team while Wasim and Fazal said they would pass useful tips whenever they have time. -AFP