Pakistan cricket

Lawson and board tussle over selection

Cricinfo staff

March 19, 2008

	Geoff Lawson is unhappy at not being consulted over selection of the squad © Getty Images

Tensions between Pakistan's selection committee and coach Geoff Lawson continue to rise in the aftermath of revelations that Lawson complained in his post-Zimbabwe series report that he had not been consulted over selection of the 15-man squad on occasion.

The selection committee is believed to be unhappy with Lawson's report, especially as board policy under this administration states that selectors will only consult with coach and captain on the 15-man squad and will have final say over the playing XI for home matches.

"We are operating as per board policy. In the previous administration, Inzamam had final say in all matters but that has changed now," one selector told Cricinfo. "We are responsible for selection and he is for coaching and it should stay that way. We are confident we have done nothing wrong. We have taken in his suggestions for squads and dissented with some as is our right."

Cricinfo has also learnt of a recent run-in between them indicating the lack of trust between the two parties. At a selection meeting during the Zimbabwe series, as Lawson and the selectors discussed a 15-man squad, Shoaib Malik, the captain, was called via phone into the discussion. Upon agreeing with one of the selectors over the composition, Lawson demanded to speak to Malik personally saying he didn't trust the selector's word, before eventually storming out.

There have been several other incidents in recent months all highlighting a growing rift between the two sides. Lawson reportedly ignored a member of the committee during a recent domestic match in Punjab as well as disagreements over the roles of Kamran Akmal and Shahid Afridi. Lawson has ruffled feathers by interfering with umpiring decisions and the state of the pitch during a Pentangular trophy match, incidents which have caught board officials off-guard. Such is the situation, however, that one selector is considering resigning from his post as the politicking and intrigue intensify.

The issue is likely to be brought up during the governing board's meeting in Lahore later this week, where selectors will ostensibly assess the results of the Zimbabwe ODI series but will also demand a resolution to the dispute.

© Cricinfo

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Players/Umpires

Geoff Lawson

Teams

Pakistan