Pakistan coach Lawson demands respect for Malik by AFP

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Scorecard:	Pakistan v South Africa
Player:	Shoaib Malik, GF Lawson
Event:	South Africa in Pakistan 2007/08

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DateLine: 5th October 2007

 

Pakistan's Australian coach Geoff Lawson demanded more respect for captain Shoaib Malik after his team lost the first Test against South Africa by 160 runs here on Friday.

 

Malik did not attend the post-match press conference after Pakistan were dismissed for 263 runs in their second innings despite a fighting 126 by Younis Khan.

 

"I didn't ask him if he was too embarrassed to come for the presser. That is an extremely offensive question. Show a little respect to the captain of Pakistan," Lawson retorted when asked about Malik's absence.

 

Lawson, who played 49 Tests for Australia, praised Malik's captaincy.

 

"It's a little different to Twenty20," said Lawson, whose team finished runners-up to India in the inaugural Twenty20 world championships in South Africa last month.

 

"He's a young captain and he is learning. He did some really good things out there. He did some things we will also discuss," said Lawson, coaching Pakistan in his first Test.

 

"He's a young man finding his way in a country that expects a lot from its leaders. With the bat, he batted like a leader. He's going to get better and better."

 

Malik hit 73 in Pakistan's first innings total of 291. That was in reply to South Africa's 450, with Jacques Kallis scoring a masterly 155.

 

Kallis hit a century in each innings, with an unbeaten 100 in the second to help South Africa set Pakistan a target of 424 to win.

 

Younis Khan, who scored 126, kept Pakistan in the hunt for a world record chase but paceman Dale Steyn took five wickets to dismiss the home team for 263.

 

Lawson agreed Kallis was the difference.

 

"Kallis was the difference between the two sides. His 155 and 100 was a match-winning performance. We dropped a few catches on the first day. Had we taken those catches it could've been different," said Lawson of missed chances when Kallis was on 36 and 61.

 

"If we had a bit of luck in this Test we could've done well. We're not very far from where we need to be. Two dropped catches might have cost us the Test."

 

Lawson said the team was disappointed over the defeat but backed the team selection.

 

Lawson described Inzamam-ul-Haq's and Mohammad Yousuf's selection for the second Test, starting in Lahore from Monday, as "fascinating."

 

"Yousuf is training very hard at the moment," said Lawson of Yousuf, who pulled out of the first Test due to lack of match fitness.

 

"I haven't seen Inzi. He's relatively fit. Lahore promises to be a special occasion. I hope he gets two hundreds on the occasion," said Lawson of Inzamam, who on Friday announced the Lahore Test will be his last.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)