I met up with former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson in the rather plush surroundings of the broadcasting centre at the Oval yesterday whilst the South Africa versus West Indies match was in progress and shortly before the crucial encounter between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Geoff is over in the UK commentating for the BBC on the Twenty/20 World Cup and the interview was conducted during a break in his commentary stint.

Lawson stated that "he really enjoyed his stay in Pakistan and he had a wonderful time in Lahore". "The people really made me and the fitness trainer David Dwyer very welcome and were very hospitable towards us".

When asked if he would still like to be in the Pakistan job or if he would take the job on in future, Lawson added that "he would still love to do the job as the boys were a young and very good group of guys to work with". "It was great working with such a young and enthusiastic bunch". Lawson added further that "Pakistan is full of cricketing talent, but the cricketing system in the country isnt always producing the best talent or helping that talent in the jump from domestic to international cricket, although under Naseem Ashraf's regime there was a lot of good work being done like the regional academies etc".

When quizzed about outside interference and the frustrations of his role Lawson stated that "there were a couple of selectors who werent up to the job and didnt have any idea what was going on and that its an ongoing problem in Pakistan cricket that was only removed when Imran Khan was skipper of the team and getting the team that he wanted".

I asked Geoff about controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and what he encountered when dealing with Shoaib. Lawson added "Akhtar was totally unprofessional as a cricketer, he trained when he felt like it, didnt contribute to the team, I couldnt think of a more unprofessional player, which is a pity as he is such a talented player". "Akhtar is using 5% of his natural talent and was being disruptive to the other members of the team". Lawson added whilst on the subect of Akhtar that "in the Australian system, a player like Akhtar would not get into an Australian club team". "It wouldnt matter how good he was, if he wasnt contrubuting to the team and not a team player he wouldnt even get a place in any Australian club side".

When quizzed about the lack of communication from the PCB when he was sacked, Lawson commented that "nobody from the PCB explained to him why he was sacked which was very unprofessional". "The government changed and the Board changed and the new Chairman made some ridiculous statements".

Lawson added further that "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".

"Younis Khan is a very enthusiastic cricketer who brings in a lot of energy and effort", added Lawson. "I dont agree with Abdul Qadirs statements about Younis Khan, he's got to be in the Twenty/20 team as he's a senior and world class player".

Moving onto the subject of Shahid Afridi, Lawson when asked about Afridi's form of late stated that "Afridi is bowling and fielding superbly well, but his reactions arent 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 which 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 its a different type of pressure when you are in a match situation".

The former NSW coach added that "he is still in touch with the Pakistan players, they remain my good friends, they were very hospitable when I was in Pakistan and I will always appreciate that".

The full interview can be heard here :-

http://www.mediafire.com/?5uyhtvmvwzd