Need I say more…
LAHORE: Former Pakistan cricket coach Geoff Lawson has described injury-prone and controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar as ‘unprofessional and a disruptive team influence’. According to a sports website on Monday, Lawson, a former Australian Test fast bowler, said Akhtar was totally unprofessional as a cricketer. “He trained when he felt like it, didn’t contribute to the team. I couldn’t think of a more unprofessional player, which is a pity as he is so talented,” added Lawson. Akhtar was ruled out of the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup in England due to a skin infection. It was the fourth major international tournament Ahktar has skipped since he was recalled from the ICC Champions Trophy in India in 2006 after testing positive for the banned substance nandrolone during a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) internal dope testing. He also missed the limited-overs World Cup in the West Indies due to fitness problems and was sent home before the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa on disciplinary charges.
Lawson said Akhtar did not utilise even five percent of his natural talent, which was disruptive to the other members of the team. “It wouldn’t matter how good he was, if he wasn’t contributing to the team and not a team player, he wouldn’t even get a place in any Australian club side.” …lol some harsh words there for Akhtar
The PCB hired Lawson as coach in July 2007 for a two-year term, but he was sacked shortly after Ijaz Butt took over as PCB chairman in October last year. Lawson said the PCB never explained its reasons for the early cancellation of his contract ‘which was very unprofessional.’ “The government changed and the board changed, and the new chairman made some ridiculous statements,” he said. Under Lawson’s coaching Pakistan lost a Test series against South Africa at home, and away against India. It also failed to qualify for the final of the Asia Cup limited-overs tournament at home in July last year. The team did reach the final of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup under his stewardship in 2007. Lawson blamed ‘outside interference’ and selectors for Pakistan’s poor performances. “There were a couple of selectors who were not up to the job and didn’t have any idea of what was going on,” he was quoted as saying.
To a question, Lawson said that Pakistan was full of cricketing talent but the cricketing system in the country was not always producing the best talent or helping that talent in the jump from domestic to international cricket. “Although under Nasim Ashraf’s regime there was a lot of good work being done like the regional academies etc.” Lawson said he had a very good relationship with the young skipper Shoaib Malik who was under a lot of pressure in the role and that they both worked very closely together”. “Malik may still be a good future captain for Pakistan.” Lawson said he did not agree with former chief selector Abdul Qadir who said that Malik and Younis Khan were promoting politics. “Younis is a very enthusiastic cricketer who brings in a lot of energy and effort. I dont agree with Qadir’s statements about Younis. He’s got to be in the Twenty20 team as he’s a senior and world class player.”
On all-rounder Shahid Afridi, Lawson said Afridi’s bowling and fielding was superb. “But his reactions are not what they used to be as he’s older. He’s not the batsman he was and he’s got to look at his batting plan that is something I discussed with him a lot. He needs to think through what he’s doing out there, we discussed his batting plans through when I was coach, but it’s a different type of pressure when you are in a match situation.” The former New South Wales coach said that he was still in touch with many Pakistan players. “They remain my good friends, they were very hospitable when I was in Pakistan and I will always appreciate that,” he concluded.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\06\16\story_16-6-2009_pg2_2