"I appeal to the crowd to maintain discipline because Pakistan's image is at stake," Miandad told reporters a day before the teams were to take to the pitch for their first one-day international match.

"If they protest anything and there is trouble, it would disturb the match and could harm the image of the country.

"We have suffered a lot because teams were not travelling to Pakistan and fans were deprived. So I would appeal to the fans to enjoy the cricket," said the former captain, one of Pakistan's best-loved cricketers.

Miandad vowed his young side would not disappoint the fans.

"We are up there and will do our best to live up to the expectations by winning the match," he said, hinting of plans he has to catch the "dangerous" South African batsmen Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs.

"Graeme Smith hit two double hundreds in England and reminded me of Graeme Pollock... but he still needs to establish himself."