/ 24 October 2008

Pakistan dismiss Lawson as coach

Australian Geoff Lawson has been dismissed as coach of Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Friday.

A spokesperson for the board said Lawson had been released from his contract and given three months’ pay as compensation.

But Lawson said he had not been informed of his dismissal.

”I have not been told anything even though I had a meeting with the PCB chairperson today [Friday],” Lawson said.

The decision to sack Lawson came hours after the Australian had met with chairperson Ejaz Butt to discuss cricket matters.

”The decision to release Lawson and [chief operating officer Shafqat] Naghmi was taken by the chairperson,” the spokesperson said. ”Lawson has been informed about the decision.”

Lawson was appointed in August 2007 after the death of Bob Woolmer during the World Cup. His two-year contract was due to end in 2009.

Butt had said on Monday that Lawson was ”useless” but that he would see out the remainder of his contract.

Former board chairperson Tauqir Zia told Reuters the abrupt decision to sack Lawson would mean no foreigner would be willing to come to work for Pakistan.

”I think the board should have discussed this at the governing body level before reaching a decision,” he added.

Naghmi will be replaced by Saleem Altaf, the PCB spokesperson said. — Reuters