Lawson wants Javed onside

Lawson wants Javed onside

EW Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson will invite his harshest critic, Javed Miandad, to be part of his support staff. A day after Javed unleashed a torrent of criticism over the appointment of another foreign coach, Lawson claimed that his former Test opponent had much to offer Pakistan cricket.
"I'd like to get Javed on board to be part of the coaching crew, to be part of the system and help out, because he was an outstanding player and a tough bloke as well," Lawson said yesterday. "We could do with a few of those characteristics among the guys at the moment.
"I'm hoping to talk to all those people and see what contributions they can make. We can't control outside influences but it would be good if we could have some of those outside influences being positive."
Miandad joined other former captains Intikhab Alam and Zaheer Abbas in criticising the national board for choosing Lawson.
"How can you expect a foreigner to have the same feeling of patriotism or nationalism that a Pakistani does? Instead of bringing in foreigners the board should first try to improve the grass-root cricket level," Miandad said. "If these foreign coaches can give a guarantee that the team will achieve a certain level of performance, fine. Otherwise it is a waste of money for me."
Lawson, 49, and Miandad, 50, were major combatants in eight Tests during series in Pakistan and Australian from 1982 to 1984.
Lawson was confirmed as the new coach by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday, succeeding the late Bob Woolmer, who died in controversial circumstances during the World Cup in the West Indies in March.
The turmoil and political strife in Pakistan cricket is highlighted by the fact that there have been 11 coaching appointments in 10 years, including Miandad three times. He was later sacked on each occasion. Under Woolmer, Pakistan went out in the first round of the World Cup after losing to Ireland.
Intikhab, who was manager-coach when Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup in Australia, said Lawson was in for a tough time.
"I have nothing against him but he should be prepared for a lot of criticism and a hard time," said Intikhab. "The board should first try to find out if we really need a foreign coach and then take a decision."
Zaheer said:"I worked as manager with Woolmer and I can say our players are equally good."
Their criticism contrasts with strong support from brilliant but inconsistent fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who argued that only an Australian can help Pakistan beat the world's No.1 team.
"I am excited that he is coming to Pakistan. He can lift us to that level where we can become the world beaters," Shoaib said.
"I have always loved the Australian mentality. They only play to win and even if they lose they put up their best till the end.
"I am confident that Lawson will help us beat Australia because he will know their weaknesses and strong points."
Lawson said foreign coaches were now a fact of life.
"In the contemporary era of any professional sport, people just want the personnel who are going to do the best for the team," Lawson said. "In soccer, the world game, how many teams are actually coached by someone from their own country?"
Of the Test-playing countries only England and South Africa have not recently employed an Australian as coach.

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