'Geoff Lawson appointment was a mistake'

KARACHI: Former cricketers Asif Iqbal, Intikhab Alam and Mohsin Khan have in unison termed Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson's appointment as a big mistake by the previous cricket set-up.
    
Asif, one of the well known names in Pakistan cricket, said on a television programme that he wanted to know who gave the chairman the authority to appoint the national coach.
    
Why should the Chairman appoint the coach. This should be done by a cricket committee made up of cricketers who have played international cricket and know the game in and out," Asif said.
    
He said the appointment of Lawson was not a good decision in hindsight and new PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt needed to separate the administration matters of the Board from cricket issues.
    
"I would like to see more cricketers involved in taking decisions on cricket matters."
    
Asif also warned the new Chairman to avoid appointing such people to key positions who were biased and only attracted to positions because of the glamour attached with cricket.
    
Why do we keep on hearing the same old names again and again whenever there is a change in the cricket setup, he asked.
    
Butt has turned the heat on the Australian making it clear he was not satisfied with the foreigner's performance and that Pakistan had several former cricketers capable of doing a better job.
    
Mohsin Khan, who works in the Board as regional cricket manager, minced no words in stating that people who brought in Lawson had done great disservice to Pakistan cricket.
    
"I don't want to take names here but everyone knows who I am talking about. But they should be asked on what ground they appointed Lawson who was an ordinary bowler in his playing days for Australia. These people have made a mess of things in Pakistan cricket," he said.
    
Butt is expected to announce a group of cricketer to help him run cricket affairs and make big changes in the Board.
    
Former Test captain Aamer Sohail is tipped to get a major posting in the next few days.
    
Lawson is expected to meet with Butt when he returns from Toronto after which his future will be decided.    

Intikhab said he didn't know the terms of the contract the Board had with Lawson but he should be released.
    
"Even if they need to pay him compensation they should do it and make a fresh start from now on," he added.