Well optimism or hype..time will tell whether Lawson can really make that big of a difference. I know many of us are certainly hoping for a “real” change.
**[Cricket-Pakistan capable of being world number one - Lawson](http://uk.reuters.com/article/cricketNews/idUKB257120070721)**
Sat Jul 21, 2007 10:45AM BST
KARACHI, July 21 (Reuters) - New Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson says his main priority is to get his talented but inconsistent team to improve their performances in away series and boost their test ranking.
Pakistan are due to host South Africa in September and October and tour India in November-December to play three tests and five one-day internationals. They host world champions Australia early next year.
**"It has always been difficult for Pakistan to show their true worth in an away series. As the test series against India would be the first away one for me I want to prepare a Pakistan team fully capable of standing up to the challenge," he told English daily The News.**
The former Australia seamer has been appointed on a two-year contract by the Pakistan Cricket Board and is due to arrive in Lahore on Aug. 15 to take charge of his team.
Lawson was a surprise choice, beating the experienced Dav Whatmore to the post.
"With a bit of more technical help, Pakistan can perform even better," he said.
"What I need is time and space. I think that a truly talented team like Pakistan could be guided to the place that has been waiting for them for years," Lawson added.
He said Pakistan have the capability of beating the number one team in the world any time and anywhere if they play to their true potential.
"Obviously, it is test cricket that comes ahead of every other version of the game. What I want is to see Pakistan as the best test-playing nation in the world," he added.
"**Test cricket shows the true worth of a team.** Pakistan players have all the guts and quality to rule the world in test cricket. What they need is proper guidance and coaching."
"Test cricket shows the true worth of a team. Pakistan players have all the guts and quality to rule the world in test cricket. What they need is proper guidance and coaching." << We have an ex-cricketer talking here ...
And when it comes to the PCB guys, we have entrepreneurs mainly concerned with running the system and making extra bucks :D ... so ODIs make you quick money...
With current set of players, it is not possible. Austrailia needs to retire few more of their players in their mid-30s and RSA needs a big slump, and Pakistan's player become all fit and unite, then it is possible.
So this possible seems to be impossible atleast for next 12 months.
Though a right move in the right direction there are lot of pre-requisites and other root problems that have to be solved. Our players have not come from coaching culture and most of them do not have collage education. They reached where they are just because of their will power and self belief. Maybe just one or two like Salman Butt may have been a product of the system but others are all self-made. Though this is good but it is also the greatest stumbling block. Listening to these players gives you and idea how it has also made them arrogant and un-compatible with the coaching culture. They are not used to asking someone for help or someone critiquing them for constructive purposes.
Any criticism to them is negative.
Hmmmm !!!
Well ! Change always brings new perspectives and this one is certainly no different than the other no matter what mainD and other wannabis say ! don't you think ?
