Pakistan not to extend Lawson’s contract

beyond April, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt said.Butt, who took over as the PCB chairman earlier this month, said in an interview Monday since it would be “too costly” to remove Lawson, he will be allowed to complete his stint.

PCB chief also made it clear that the board will not carry on with Lawson after April and will mostly likely opt for a home-grown coach.

Butt said Lawson’s two-year contract stipulates the PCB will have to pay the Australian more than a $100,000 if it sacks him. The Australian gets around $175,000 plus perks per annum.

“He is an expensive coach who hasn’t delivered much,” said Butt, a 70-year-old former Pakistan Test opener, who is regarded as a hard taskmaster.

Butt said Pakistan has a couple of important assignments coming up in the next few months and should stick with Lawson till then. Pakistan will be playing against the West Indies in a One-day International series next month in Abu Dhabi and will then host India for a Test and ODI series in Jan-Feb next year.

Lawson took over as Pakistan coach last summer following the tragic death of Englishman Bob Woolmer in Kingston, Jamaica, last March during the World Cup. Under Lawson, Pakistan lost back-to-back Test and ODI series against South Africa and India but reached the final of the inaugural World Twenty20 Championship in South Africa.

Comments