Lawson takes first steps as Pak cricket coach

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Geoff Lawson (L) with paceman Shoaib Akhtar (R) in Lahore. Lawson has met his new charges to start final preparations for next month's inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.

LAHORE, Pakistan, Aug 21 (AFP): Pakistan's new cricket coach Geoff Lawson met his new charges here Tuesday to start final preparations for next month's inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.
The 49-year-old former Australian paceman arrived Monday night to replace Englishman Bob Woolmer who died at the team's hotel in Jamaica during the World Cup held in the Caribbean earlier this year.
Lawson, who was accompanied by Pakistan's new trainer David Dwyer, was introduced to the players at the national cricket academy.
"I look forward to meeting the squad," Lawson had said on arrival, brushing aside news that four Pakistani players -- Inzamam-ul Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Yousuf and Imran Farhat -- had joined a breakaway Indian league.
"Whatever happens, the players who turn up will count for me and not the ones who go and do something else," said Lawson, who was to hold a press conference later Tuesday.
Both Lawson and Dwyer are on two-year contracts.
Pakistan team manager Talat Ali said the first meeting between the players and Lawson was excellent.