Pakistan seek Lawson’s help ahead of first Test

KARACHI: Pakistan have turned to their former coach Geoff Lawson for advice ahead of the Test series opener against the hosts getting underway at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day.

Lawson, who was sacked as Pakistan coach in 2008 after a rocky stint, said in an interview on Tuesday that the tourists had been in touch with him seeking information about the wickets they were likely to strike at the MCG and SCG.

“That’s the question they have to ask, especially as the two spinners bat at 10 and 11 — neither is an all-rounder,” Lawson said.

“But if they do select both, it will be a quality attack.”

Australian captain Ricky Ponting agreed.

“(Danish) Kaneria, I notice, just got picked in their side again and he’s a world-class leg-spinner, while (Saeed) Ajmal is a world-class off-spinner,” Ponting said referring to the two Pakistani spinners.

“And we’re playing in Melbourne and Sydney, so they will be a formidable attack, there’s no doubt about that.”

Kaneria has history on his side, having taken a five-wicket haul in Melbourne and seven wickets in Sydney the last time Pakistan toured in 2004-05.

He took more wickets than Warne in that series, and more than Anil Kumble in the series against India that followed it.

Only the second Hindu to play for Pakistan — the first was his cousin, Anil Dalpat, who briefly kept wicket — Kaneria has a big fan in Lawson.

If Pakistan hadn’t missed so much Test cricket during the past couple of years, he would have 350 wickets, the former Australian paceman said.

“He has a lot of potential, a great leg-break, plenty of variety and good control,” Lawson said.

“He’s just a bit tactically naive, although I noticed that seemed to have improved in New Zealand.

He has a great attitude. Like Warnie, he loves a contest and he doesn’t hide no matter who goes after him. He wants the ball and he wants to bowl.”