The captains of Pakistan and India have called for the third and final Test starting on Sunday to be contested in a sporting manner while playing down reported sledging incidents in the drawn Lahore and Faisalabad matches.
"If the incidents had been serious the match referee would have reported the players," Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq told a news conference on the eve of the series decider.
"I think these things have been overplayed and cricket is played with aggression. Relations are good between players, who know the importance of not allowing things to get out of hand."
India captain Rahul Dravid echoed Inzamam's sentiments.
"Both teams know the importance of the series and I am sure the players are aware of their responsibilities," he said.
"We should have a close contest between teams eager to do well."
Match referee Ranjan Madugalle spoke to Pakistan vice captain Younis Khan during the second Test and asked him to prevent the verbal sledging from getting out of hand.
Both captains also felt that the hard track at the National Stadium could help break the deadlock in a series that has been dominated by the batsmen.
"Millions follow Pakistan and India matches and hopefully this wicket will produce a result," Dravid added.
"Although it looks a good (batting) wicket, it should have extra bounce and more movement for the bowlers then the first two tests."
Inzamam also hinted that his side might go in with three fast bowlers to exploit the green-top wicket. The Pakistan captain, racing against time to be fit for the crucial rubber, said the wicket prepared for the Test here looked much better than the flat track at Faisalabad and fielding three seamers could be a viable option.
"It appears to have more juice in it and should help produce a result."
Asked to comment on Moin Khan's observation that Sachin Tendulkar was on a decline, Inzamam said, "he has played only one innings in the series so far. It is not enough to judge a player's form.
"I don't read newspaper columns by former players. There are too many of them around."
REDUCED SQUAD
India go into the match with a reduced squad of 13 players after discarding openers Wasim Jaffar and Gautam Gambhir as well as reserve wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel.
"The eleven picked will depend on how the wicket looks tomorrow morning," Dravid added.
India played five bowlers in the second Test but with former captain Sourav Ganguly being retained in the squad, the indications are he might get another chance.
In the bowling department, question marks remain over the selection of off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who has yet to take a wicket in the series.
"The idea is to get a combination that can take 20 wickets in the match," Dravid added.
Inzamam declined to confirm if he had recovered from the back problem that threatens his participation in the match.
"I am working hard but I am still not sure if I can play. I will decide before the toss," he said, adding that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar had recovered from his ankle problem and would definitely play.
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