It would be silly not to use the experience of the likes of Wasim Akram or Javed Miandad: Geoff Lawson

Former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson has advised Pakistan coach incumbent Mickey Arthur to consult Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram on the cricketing culture in Pakistan. The South African took up the post vacated by Waqar Younis following a disastrous World T20 in India. Lawson who was the coach of the Pakistan side that made it to the final of the World T20 in 2007 has a few words of wisdom for Arthur.

“As long as he (Arthur) understands how the local culture works and how to get the best out of the players, he’ll succeed,” said Lawson, who coached Pakistan from July 2007 to October 2008, becoming only the third foreigner to take on the role.

Geoff Lawson, who served as Pakistan coach for a good amount of time added that being a foreign coach was an advantage Mickey Arthur had over Waqar Younis. The former Australian pacer also added that he used to get former Pakistani players to speak to the current players, and has advised Arthur to do the same. Lawson added that it was important for Arthur to understand how the Pakistani cricket culture worked before attempting to implement his philosophy in the current system.

“It’s a big advantage to be a foreign coach in Pakistan as you don’t have to worry about what other people think. Rather than fighting with ex-players, he needs to get them on his side. Their experience is valuable and you’re got to use it. During my time, I tried to get former players to come and speak to the team. It would be silly not to use the experience of the likes of Wasim Akram or Javed Miandad,” said Lawson. “If you go as a coach into another system, you have to understand how it works. You can grow a certain culture, but you can’t transplant it somewhere else. You have to try and work with the present one. That’s what coaches have to do and that is part of their job. Arthur probably didn’t understand how the Australian culture worked and he got sacked,” said the Australian.

“There’s always an outside influence, but whether to bow to it is in your hands. During my time, I was one of the selectors. There were three other selectors and the captain. At times, I got outvoted, but that’s the way it goes. If someone else selects the team, you have to do your best you can with it, rather than fretting over it, “said Lawson, who claimed 180 Test wickets in his illustrious career with Australia.