Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson today faced the music for
the Test and ODI series loss to arch rivals India with the PCB making it clear
that they were not happy with the performance of the Australian.
Skipper Shoaib Malik though escaped the heat as Pakistan Crikcet Board
reposed faith in his leadership considering that he is still new to the job
and learning.
PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf found very few positives from the recent tour
and said the team's performance lacked spine and the focus of the players was
not completely on cricket.
"The team was short on mental toughness and professionalism
and the responsibility for this lies with the coach. I am not satisfied with
Lawson's performance. When he returns from his Christmas holidays we will talk
to him," Ashraf said while addressing a press meet in Lahore after meeting
captain Malik and manager Talat Ali.
Though coach Lawson came in for criticism, Ashraf reposed confidence
in Malik insisting the Board would be patient with him and give him time to
mature and develop into an able leader.
Malik has already been retained as captain until the end of
2008 but after losing successive series to South Africa and India,
his tenure was under scrutiny.
"Malik is a promising captain and we will lend him all
support. We are confident he will learn and become better with time and we remain
committed to our decision to retain him as captain till end of this year,"
Ashraf said.
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