“He Hides From a Crisis” - Geoff Lawson Comes Down Hard on PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt
Former Pakistan coach and renowned Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson lambasted the PCB on its role (or lack thereof) in the present match and spot-fixing crisis. Geoff Lawson urged Ijaz Butt to come on the front and provide strong leadership for the Pakistani team. According to Geoff Lawson, crisis-ridden team requires strong cover and support by its leadership. However, Geoff Lawson declared the chairmanship of Ijaz Butt as a failure. According to Geoff Lawson, Butt has failed miserably to provide leadership to Pakistan cricket in this critical time.
On ESPN-cricinfo’s audio show ‘Time Out’, he was heard as saying: "Even through this crisis we have heard virtually nothing from their chairman.
"He hides from a crisis, he is not a leader and when http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 need a strong leader and people to show them the way forward, they are not getting it from their board."
Geoff Lawson remained the Pakistan coach from 2007 to 2009. However, he maintained his loyalty and affiliation with the Pakistan team in one way or the other. Lawson was highly critical of PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and his handling of the recent match-fixing fiasco. Lawson urged the PCB chairman to come out of his hideout and help the team under severe duress.
Lawson referred to the tenure of Ijaz Butt as the worst time for Pakistan cricket. He described various projects that were successfully undergoing prior to the appointment of Ijaz Butt as the PCB Chairman.
According to Lawson, dedicated efforts were underway to uplift the grass-root level cricket in Pakistan before the appointment of Ijaz Butt. Several long and short-term projects were launched by the previous Chairman Naseem http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashraf-c46397. Lawson referred to the five and ten-year plans evolved by the previous chairman with special focus on regional cricket academies, fitness, and fitness trainers. He also described his efforts for the provision of better equipment, hiring of physios and facilitation of gyms to players.
Lawson criticized the management style of Ijaz Butt and declared him to be the main reason behind the cricket crisis in Pakistan. Lawson linked the appointment of Ijaz Butt with the political changes in Pakistan after the 2008 elections. Lawson has very rightly identified the appointment patron in Pakistan. Ijaz Butt is known to be politically affiliated with Pakistan Peoples Party and has the full backing of the President. It is because of this strong support that Ijaz Butt continues to remain the chairman of Pakistan despite several crises and humiliating performances by the team.
"If it is the case that these young players are being affected, then there is something very bad with the environment in which Pakistan cricket is being played in," he said.
Pakistan is banned from the honour of hosting International cricket during Butt’s tenure. The attack on the Sri Lankan team still haunts the memory with horrific scenes of firing and killing. The Pakistan team also faced several changes in its captaincy with internal controversies amongst the players. The recent wave of allegations by the ‘News of the World’ and the investigation by the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Scotland-c756 Yard is another feather in his cap.
Leadership is an art and leadership skills are measured in times of crisis. Geoff Lawson may have a biased opinion against Ijaz Butt due to his role in removing him from the coach slot, but independent analysis reveals a lack of leadership by Ijaz Butt. It appears that the Pakistani High Commissioner to Britain has assumed the role of PCB Chairman in the recent crisis. While http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hasan-c61990.
Pakistan skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 rightly urged upon the alleged players to face the situation with courage and bravery. The same equally applies on the PCB chairman and the PCB. Whereas the investigation on the alleged scam is still underway, the body language of the players and media avoidance by the management depicts defeatist behaviour.
Geoff Lawson defined the situation as the most difficult time for Pakistani cricket. He said that if the players are proven guilty, Pakistan cricket will be affected very badly. He was apprehensive about the post crisis environment that would be faced by Pakistan cricket. According to Lawson, Salman Butt performed excellent captaincy and led the young team in a magnificent way. Lawson said that it would be shocking for him if Butt is proven guilty of the charges. He expressed his desire to see the players coming clean out of the recent crisis and hoped that the team flourishes in the future.
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