Pak coach unhappy for exclusion in squad selection

Lawson has said, in a report to the Pakistan Cricket Board, that despite assurances from the board he was not consulted in the finalisation of the 15-member squad named for the series.

The former Australian pacer has made such complaints earlier but this was the first time he has put it in writing.

PCB rules stipulate the national selectors would consult the captain and coach while finalising the squad during a home series. The selectors though have the prerogative to pick the final playing eleven, a changed practice from the past when the team management had the authority to do this.

Lawson's grouse was that the selectors had not even consulted him while picking the full squad.

In his report on the series against Zimbabwe, Lawson, who took the coaching job in August last year, has also talked about the 2011 World Cup and his doubts over whether flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi has a role to play in the tournament.

"The performance of Shahid Afridi will have to be closely monitored before finalising the likely team for the World Cup 2011," he has written.

In the report, Lawson has also made it known his view that 31-year-old left-arm pacer Kamran Hussain, who made his one-day debut against Zimbabwe, is a quality all-rounder who could replace Abdul Razzaq in future.