Typical of him, Miandad has seized the initiative of the Pakistan team situation after taking up the job and has chosen pin-up boy Afridi as an example to drive home his point.

Miandad has also advised Afridi, renowned for his big hitting, to curb his aggression a bit. In a practice match after the team landed here, Miandad asked Afridi to eschew risky shots early in his innings and instead concentrate on playing longer knocks.

``Nobody has ever told me to play like this,'' Afridi is said to have remarked in reply. Afridi was out early in that game and got a hiding from Miandad. Next time (the same thing) and you will face the consequences, Miandad is said to have told Afridi.

The two players havemuch in common. Like Afridi, Miandad began his career as legspinner and not as a batsman. Again like Afridi, who came into limelight after his quickfire 102 off 37 balls against Sri Lanka in Kenya in 1995, Miandad made himself dispensable as a batsman by cracking a double century against New Zealand in a home series.

And Miandad had a long history of indiscipline.

Meanwhile, the touring party has decided to include Salim Malik and Ijaz Ahmed in the side despite the match-fixing allegations. The two have been named by the Pakistan Cricket Board probe committee, whose report has also been seconded by a senate committee on betting and match fixing.