Lawson was not really all that useless: Misbah

Lahore, Nov 2 (UNI) Not everyone in the Pakistan cricket community is happy at the exit of former coach Geoff Lawson.

Vice-captain Misbah-ul-Haq said the former Australian Test pacer, who was sacked as Pakistan coach last month over poor results, was not really all that useless.

''He (Lawson) gave me a lot of confidence as coach,'' said the middle-order batsman, who made a successful return to the Pakistan team during Lawson's 16-month stint at Pakistan coach.

''I learnt a lot from Lawson during the past several months,'' Misbah told reporters here yesterday at the National Stadium where he is leading Balochistan against Sindh in a Pentangular Cup match.

Lawson was sacked last month by the Pakistan Cricket Board which said the former coach was responsible for his team's below-par performance. Former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam was appointed as the new national team coach.

Misbah said he and fellow Pakistan players are currently making the most of the Pentangular Cup matches, ahead of the three-match one-day series against the West Indies to be played in Abu Dhabi from November 12-16.

''We are getting some good match practice by playing the Pentangular Cup games,'' said Misbah.

He is expecting a good showing from Pakistan in the Abu Dhabi series.

''The series against the West Indies will be a good opportunity for us and hopefully we will do well in it,'' he added.

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