Cuz Lawson wants it, ‘that’ way!
Calling it a ‘Killer Instinct’, Lawson says that current Pakistani Cricket lacks in it and he wants to bring up this stimulus among Pakistani Cricket Squad. Ladies and Gentlemen: The fourth stage for the preparation of Twenty-20 World Cup has formally begin and Pakistan new Coach Geoff Lawson has arrived in Lahore last Tuesday.
Regardless of all the glittering offers that attracted many of the Lions of Pakistani team (Inzimam, Youhana, Razzaq and Farhat) – the new couch Lawson is still committed and see loads of hope for killer instinct in the new blood rather than the old ones. He was of the view that Pakistani team are training well, however predicted a tough fight in the inaugural World Cup.
The 49-year-old former Australian paceman arrived in Pakistan this week to take up his post and prepare for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup. Appointment of Lawson is not just a test on Pakistan, but a test on himself too. It is pertinent to mention that Geoff Lawson would be really tested in Pakistan, especially with his Man-Management skills. Many coaches have problem dealing with Speedster Shoaib Akhtar, a mercurial paceman known as much for his mood-swings rather his bowling. But Lawson once again issued a statement which confirms his commitment to his goals, and high hopes:
“Any side that wants to be world’s best needs aggression, the killer’s instinct and must play to its strength and that’s what I would be looking at,”
Lawson looked pretty excited after having his first interaction with the Pakistani players on Tuesday and then overseeing a training session in the evening.
“Let me say I am thrilled and honoured to be here and meeting with the players. The enthusiasm among the players is outstanding and they are eager to do well”.
Commenting on the Indian Cricket League (ICL Rebel) case, Lawson said four Pakistani players – former captain Inzamam-ul Haq, senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf, opener Imran Farhat and Abdul Razzaq – joining the breakaway Indian league on Monday would not have a direct affect on the rest of the squad.
He has been brought in on a two-year contract with the Pakistan board, who have also appointed a former Australian rugby trainer to raise the fitness levels of the players. :-)
Lawson is Pakistan’s third foreign coach since 1999 after South African Richard Pybus and Bob Woolmer. I wish things move forward with the killer instinct under his era on all the levels of Cricket in Pakistan and have an everlasting effect even after his tenure.
– What do you guys think of his selection?
– Also, what do you think of the four Lions turning their back towards Pakistan?
References: Wikipedia, AFP, ABC, PCB, Sepoy@Flickr.
I don’t have any good feeling about Lawson since he doesn’t have any previous experience of coaching at higher level and Pakistan is a special place that he will learn with time. The board is not working well and politics are destroying the game.
Well If you ask me, they all deserved better from selection committee and board. Warne played tests only from 2003 onwards but he was always centrally contracted. Inzamam gave more than 17 years of service to Pakisan and what did he get back? Sacking from central contract. Pathetic. Yousuf was dropped / rested from 20/20 world cup!!! oh come on that is ridiculous. We have been playing Razzaq in one days where his economy is more than 6 mostly and defend it by saying he is a big hitter. But 20/20 that is suitable for him, we have dropped him. There is no accountability any where. Selectors / management can set aside players that have given their lifes for the cricket / country. They are right in turning their back on the Cricket Management. THEY DIDN’T TURN THEIR BACK ON PAKISTAN. We (Pakistanis) are with those players.
Cent percent true. Lawson has no previous experience coaching any International Cricket Team. Previously he has just been the head coach of South Wales and now he has been given such a big task. The politics is destroying the board and players big time. They are just bringing administrators, instead they should bring some real sportsmen to let the ball rolling.
Well I mean its hard to justify but even I didn’t get picked for the 20/20 but no compaints. ;)
We aint goin down until we have chacha cricket with us haha…check this out! :D
http://www.vidpk.com/view_video.php?viewkey=25934ee377cfda20e414
Just some random thoughts:
Geoff Lawson: A very good pick for a coach… Probably just the right person Pakistan team needed right now!!! Agreed he doesnt have international coaching experience, but coaching south wales has given him enough exposure of “highly competitive” and “top class” cricket. Imran Khan has been saying it for ages that we need an aggressive australian coach… Lawson is just that… and the first thing he speaks of after arriving in Lahore is “the need for killer instinct”… this is exactly what we have been lacking in Inzy era.
Second Lawson seems very much excited and looking forward to his new role. This is positive news. Third, being a fast bowler himself, he would be better suited to handle the likes of Shoaib on and off the field.
Only time will tell whether Lawson would acually be successful as a Pakistani coach, but i think he is a good choice and lets give him a chance.
About 20/20, i give pakistan 50/50 chance… shoaib malik is yet to prove his metal as a captain and this would be his first major challange. So would it be for Lawson, and Salman Butt (the vice captain). Most of the team is new, and very talented. 20/20 is yet another chance for the likes of Afridi, Imran Nazir, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Shoaib Malik, Salman Butt and even Rao Iftikhar to shine and outclass everyone else. They can all do it, and its about time some of them do.
Dropping Yousuf and Abdur Razzaq is a bad decision. Abdur Razzaq should have been an automatic inclusion in any 20/20 team, while Yousuf should have been there just as a seasoned batsman to stabalize the middle order. i would like both to play for pakistan in future.