Former Pakistan Coach Geoff Lawson believes Mickey Arthur should use the expertise of ex-players like Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram to improve the game, as he termed their experience to be valuable.
Lawson suggested Arthur to understand Pakistan’s culture before enforcing his viewpoint. “As long as he [Arthur] understands how the local culture works and how to get the best out of the players, he will succeed,” Lawson said.
Lawson further added that there will be pressure from ex-players and the media, but as long as Arthur gets them on their side he will do fine.
“It is 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 got to use it. During my time, I tried to get former players to come and speak to the team.”
Lawson told that you have to understand the system to coach.
“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 is 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,” he said.
He said there is always 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. If someone else selects the team, you have to do your best you can with it, rather than fretting over it.”
Pakistan reached final of the inaugural ICC World T20 under Lawson’s tutelage in 2007. The national side failed to cross the line as it fell short of 6 runs in the chase of 158 runs.
