Lawson regrets paceman’s downfall
03 April, 2008
KARACHI: Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson expressed regret at the five-year ban imposed on Shoaib Akhtar by a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) disciplinary committee, adding that the fast bowler would remain an unfulfilled talent. “Whether he got banned today or not, there was always going to be some problem with Shoaib,” Lawson told the Daily Telegraph. “He has so much ability but he lacks the responsibility that’s needed to become a great fast bowler,” he explained. “At times he tried really hard for us, but you just never knew what to expect when you turned up to the ground,” he continued. “Personally, I wouldn’t have banned him; I’d have made him earn his international place back by playing domestic cricket. It’s always sad when you see a guy who doesn’t fulfil his talent,” he added. Lawson, in his recent tour report on the away series against India, had advised against Shoaib’s selection for Tests, indicating that he had lost confidence in his abilities in the longer version of the game. But Lawson thought Shoaib would perform well in the Indian Premier League (IPL), to which the ban does not extend. “I reckon he’ll go pretty well. We timed him in the nets last week and he was bowling over 93mph,” he revealed. End.
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