Lawson free to select support staff

Geoff Lawson, Pakistan's newly appointed coach, will be allowed to freely select his support staff and implement policies, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board.

"Lawson will have a big say in the appointment of the new support staff for the team including trainer, physiotherapist and perhaps batting and bowling coaches," Nasim Ashraf, the PCB chairman, was quoted in the Hindu.

Ashraf dismissed suggestions that the Pakistan board had already decided to appoint former Test players Haroon Rashid and Aaqib Javed as the batting and bowling coach respectively.

"No decision has been taken on this and all these things would only be sorted out when Lawson reaches Pakistan next month."

However, Ashraf did not indicate how much of a role Lawson would have in team selection and whether he will be consulted when the team for the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa is picked.

The selectors are slated to announce the team on August 10. Lawson is expected to take charge after arriving in Lahore on August 15, but PCB officials said he might be delayed due to ongoing coaching commitments with New South Wales.