Lawson not worried by PCB criticism

Dhaka, Jun 13 (UNI) Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson is unpeturbed after being criticised by the PCB for the humiliating 140-run defeat to arch-rivals India in the second match of the Kitply Cup on June 10.

''There was no strong reaction by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). I know we played badly and the PCB Chairman is entitled to his opinion,'' Lawson told mediapersons here today.

The former Australian pace bowler denied that the e-mail from Ashraf had dampened spirits in the dressing room.

''We are not concerned by emails but about how the players perform tomorrow,'' Lawson said.

However, Lawson admitted that Pakistan played ''uncharacteristically'' in recent matches but refused to give too much importance to what outsiders thought about his team.

''We played uncharacteristically recently. The players know that and that is why people have reacted to the defeat in this way.

But we know what the guys are actually going through and I am more concerned about the performances of my players, rather than what people are thinking about them,'' he said.

Stating that the absence of controversial pace duo Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif will hamper the team, Lawson said, ''No, we are not missing them. We are very concerned that we play well tomorrow.'' Pakistan will take on India in the tri-series final here tomorrow.

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