Lawson wants more Tests for Pakistan
Geoff Lawson has said that he would like to see Pakistan playing more Test cricket over the next few years, but admits there is little that can be done about it
Cricinfo staff
28-Feb-2008
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Geoff Lawson would like to see Pakistan playing more
Test cricket over the next few years, but admits there
is little that can be done about it.
Pakistan are scheduled to play only three Test series
in two years and one less if Australia pull out of
their scheduled tour to the country next month. As
the Future Tours Programme (FTP) stands, Pakistan will
play Australia next month, host India towards the end
of this year and then go to Sri Lanka in July 2009.
Their last Test series was in November-December last
year against India.
"It is strange that that we play only three Test
series in two years but I am not responsible for the
FTP and I don't organize the programme," Lawson said
at the National Stadium in Karachi. "It's a little bit
like India a few years back where we had lots of ODIs
but few Tests. More Tests would be great sure."
Towards that end, Australia coming, even if for a
shortened tour, would help and Lawson said that
getting them over was the top priority. "My first
concern is that Australia come over," Lawson said. "We
can't affect what Cricket Australia or their players
do but we can affect our own preparation and cricket.
My focus is to make sure that our minds are on cricket
and that we are mentally and physically ready to take
on Australia when they do come."
Things are coming together for Pakistan in that
respect. As ever, they will rely heavily on their pace
attack for the series, in particular Mohammad Asif and
Umar Gul, who have both been out with injuries
recently. Lawson said, however, that the pair was
getting back to full fitness. "They're both working
hard at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore and are
bowling again. Asif is bowling off a three-quarters
run up and if his elbow holds up, he will come back an
even better bowler.
"Gul has come back from Australia [after a check-up on
his back] and has been cleared and is doing some gym
work now."
Pakistan are also looking into the possibility of
hiring a sports psychologist for the side, a
recommendation that Lawson had made after the tour to
India. "We're in the process of trying to organize
it," Lawson said. "Every major sporting team has one
and we want to do everything to make our team the best
side.
"I have suggested a few names from Australia who have
experience with cricket, but I am also open to local
names as they might understand and work with the Asian
mindset better."