Date:01/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/01/stories/2008090154512000.htm

Sport - Cricket

Lawson disappointed

KARACHI: Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson has described as “very disappointing” the decision by some countries not to send their teams to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy leading to the postponement of the eight-nation competition last week.

Lawson had gone to Australia and New Zealand as a member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) task force to convince the officials and players that it was safe to play in Pakistan, but didn’t succeed.

Lawson said in Lahore that he and the task force did their best but the concerned teams had their own point of view.

“I don’t want to go into that, needless to say it is very disappointing to see the tournament postponed and I am hoping now we can get some cricket in South Africa in September,” Lawson said.

The PCB is trying to arrange a tri-series or a bilateral one-day rubber in South Africa to make up for the postponement, but nothing has been finalised. — PTI