September 12, 2008	Friday	Ramazan 11, 1429

SYDNEY, Sept 11: Pakistan’s cricket coach Geoff Lawson was amused to hear that reports from Pakistan had him fleeing the country.

Speaking in Sydney a little bleary-eyed after flying in overnight, Lawson doubted that many people fled a country with a return ticket.

“I’ve come home to see my mum in Wagga. It’s a brief holiday,” Lawson said.

Lawson, a former Australia Test bowler, could be returning to Pakistan as soon as end of the week if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) can organise some cricket to fill the gap left after cancellation of the ICC Champions Trophy.

The PCB is in a state of flux after the country’s change of president from Pervez Musharraf to Asif Ali Zardari. Lawson believes that a change of administration will have no direct impact on him.

“I’ve got a contract until 2009 and I’m going to honour it,” Lawson stated. “The players are training and we just want to play some cricket.”

Lawson has been a passionate defender of Pakistan cricket and campaigned strongly for the Champions Trophy to be held there despite mounting security concerns that split the cricket world.

In the end, the Champions Trophy tournament had to be postponed for safety and security reasons.

“Everyone is really frustrated,” Lawson expressed. “A lot of players can’t understand why some countries don’t want to tour. Asian countries just turn up and play. They don’t have any qualms.”—Agencies