Butt attacks Lawson role

Pakistan cricket chief unimpressed by Aussie coach

By Simon Dilger   Last updated: 12th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Butt attacks Lawson role

Lawson: Standing firm

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Geoff Lawson's position as Pakistan coach has been plunged into doubt by the country's top cricket official.

Ejaz Butt, who took over as chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board last week, has said he was unimpressed by the team's progress under Lawson and hinted that he was unhappy with a foreigner in the role.

The Australian was appointed Pakistan coach last August after the shock death of Bob Woolmer during the World Cup in Jamaica.

Lawson was originally given a two-year contract by the board but the former Test bowler has since faced a number of problems with national selectors and officials.

"I don't see any improvement," Butt told reporters in Lahore on Sunday. "I will definitely be reviewing the performances of the coach, team officials and players.

Butt said that he would rather see a former Pakistan player coaching the national side.

"I would like to go for someone who has played for Pakistan, he added. "But we will see what the circumstances are.

"We have a lot of cricketers we can give opportunity to."

Attack

Lawson is currently with the Pakistan team in Canada, where they beat Sri Lanka by three wickets on Saturday in a Twenty20 tournament.

Speaking on Geo News in Toronto he refused to be drawn on Butt's comments, insisting that he had no plans to step aside.

"Why should I quit? He said. "I want to complete my contract with the board.

"I came here to bring about an improvement in the team and I want to continue to do that.

"I am a professional coach and I have nothing to do with the changes in the board. I will brief the chairman on what I have done when the time comes."