KARACHI (Reuters) - Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has backed embattled coach Geoff Lawson on Friday and called on fans to be patient with the former Australian bowler to deliver results.
Lawson, who took over as coach last August, has been criticised in Pakistan after series losses to South Africa and India.
Malik said it was unfair to draw comparisons between Lawson and his popular predecessor, Bob Woolmer, who died last March during the World Cup.
“Woolmer came to us having worked more than five years with the South African team. He was very experienced and he had his own style of coaching,” Malik told reporters.
"Lawson in contrast is in his first year in charge of an international team and he is learning. He has his set of ideas on how the team should work.
“We need to give him more time for consistently good results.”
Malik also supported Lawson’s suggestion to have a sports psychologist work with the team.
“Anything or anyone which can improve the team mentally and physically should be tried out,” Malik said ahead of Monday’s first one-dayer against Zimbabwe.
“We will sit down and reach a consensus on having a sports psychologist.”
We don't need a sports psychologist. More like good team selection. When you have Afridi and Malik in team than we don't need any more all rounders. Try selecting specialist batsmen and bowlers, it has worked in shape of Misbah and Tanvir and it will work again.
Also don't bring 2 strike bowlers when playing a test match.
It would be unfair to criticise Lawson at this stage of his coaching career. He needs to be given more time to prove himself. He has not had an easy ride so far but then he has also not had the luxury of playing three fully fit pace bowlers in a test match. Not sure how much credit Lawson gets here, but both Misbah and Butt are much improved players since his arrival.
Australia is the top team in the world not just because they are 11 great players, but also 11 very professional and mentally tough cookies. Knowing the Pakistani mindset, if you had 11 EXACTLY the same cricket skill level players from Pakistan playing 11 exactly the same skill level Australian players, we would lose every time..... They should bring him in and let him work on their bhaijas :D