Ex-Pak coach Lawson wanted Rixon help to correct Akmal’s flaws

At one point of time, former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson became so concerned about Kamran Akmal’s technical flaws that he asked Australian wicketkeeping specialist Steve Rixon for advice.

According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, Rixon, the mentor of Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, was willing to coach Akmal but he was rejected because the Pakistan Cricket Board refused to pay 5000 dollars in fee.

The News quoted Rixon as saying that the decision has returned to haunt Pakistan, who crashed to a second Test defeat last Wednesday after Akmal endured a nightmare behind the stumps by dropping four second-innings catches.

“I would have absolutely helped him. Henry actually rang me when he was the Pakistan coach, trying to get me to work with Akmal. But it didn’t eventuate because the board was counting their pennies,” he said.

“At the time, I had ICL commitments in India, I wasn’t far away and there was a window of opportunity for me to help Kamran, which I was more than happy to do.”

“Look at the two keepers (Haddin and Akmal) and their performances in that (Sydney) Test and it was the difference. Brad was great and if Kamran takes one of those four dropped catches, it’s all over, Pakistan win the Test,” he added.

“I wasn’t asking for much, it was petty, but for whatever reason the PCB didn’t want a bar of it. They deserve everything they get.”