Newly appointed Pakistan cricket coach Geoff Lawson has said the team's tour of India later this year was at the top of his priority list.
KARACHI: Newly appointed Pakistan cricket coach Geoff Lawson has said the team's tour of India later this year was at the top of his priority list to improve the Test ranking and the overseas performance of the players.
"It has always been difficult for Pakistan to show their true worth in an away series. As the Test series against India would be the first away one for me. I want to prepare a Pakistan team fully capable of standing up to the challenge," Lawson said.
Pakistan would tour India in November-December to play three Tests and five one-day internationals after hosting South Africa from September 27 onwards. Pakistan also host Zimbabwe and Australia in the coming months.
The former Australian fast bowler, who reaches Lahore on August 15, said records show that Pakistan had always been good at home and hoped they would continue in the same temperament in future also.
"With a bit of more technical help, Pakistan can perform even better. What I need is time and space. I think that a truly talented team like Pakistan could be guided to the place that has been waiting for them for years," Lawson was quoted as saying by 'The News'.
Lawson said Test cricket projects the quality of a team and Pakistan had the capability of beating the world's number one side in it if they play to their true potential.
"Obviously, it is Test cricket that comes ahead of every other version of the game. Test cricket shows the true worth of a team. What I want is to see Pakistan as the best Test playing nation in the world."
"Pakistan players have all the guts and quality to rule the world in Test cricket. What they need is proper guidance and coaching," Lawson added.
On the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, Lawson said it would be nothing less than a test for every team as it was being held for the first time.
"Whoever holds the nerves will perform better. For Twenty20 cricket you need a good bowling combination and there is no dearth of that in Pakistan," he said.
Lawson said he was already communicating with Pakistan team doctor Dr Riaz Ahmed and chalking up a fitness plan with him for the players.
"I am in touch with the team trainer, Dr Riaz, who is a qualified and professional trainer. He is already doing a good job. We would try not to expose the leading players too much to international cricket."
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