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Barring any late glitches, Geoff Lawson, the former Australian Test fast bowler, is likely to be appointed as the new Pakistan coach on Monday.

A board official close to the coaching selection process told Cricinfo that final negotiations with Lawson, who had impressed them the most, were underway. “It is heading Lawson’s way definitely. There are still a couple of things to be sorted out but it is looking like he is the man for us,” said the official.

Lawson was one of three Australians shortlisted and interviewed for the position by the Pakistan board, Dav Whatmore and Richard Done the other two, after the position was let vacant following the death of Bob Woolmer.

Whatmore was the early favourite for the position but it is now understood that a number of players, as well as key members of team management, were keener on Lawson than Whatmore and have passed on their preference to the board. Whatmore’s cause was not helped by former Sri Lanka captain, Arjuna Ranataunga, who is alleged to have advised Pakistan against Whatmore during a chance meeting in Glasgow.

Lawson played 46 Tests for Australia and though he hasn’t got international coaching experience, he has coached New South Wales. Pakistan will be eager to make sure that Lawson agrees to the offer before they make a formal announcement, taking care to avoid the fate that befell their Indian counterparts, who announced Graham Ford as their next coach only for Ford to turn the offer down.

The PCB’s ad-hoc committee is in Karachi for a two-day meeting starting Sunday and the board is expected to name the coach officially on Monday. They are also expected to announce new central contracts for players.

Source:Cricket News

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