Lawson and PCB resolve issues

Outstanding financial issues between the Pakistan board and outgoing coach Geoff Lawson have been resolved after a meeting on Monday.

Lawson had sent back a cheque the board had given him over the weekend, claiming the payment was far short of what was owed to him as per the terms of his contract, a claim which was correct.

Lawson told Cricinfo the meeting with Salim Altaf, the PCB's director-general, was "a cordial one" and that the issue was resolved "amicably".

"We had a good meeting," Altaf told Cricinfo. "There had been a communication gap in the past but we have ended on good terms."

The amount outstanding to Lawson is thought to be in the region of US$30,000, a bonus payment for taking the side to the final of an ICC tournament (Pakistan reached the final of the World Twenty20 last year).

Lawson spoke to reporters briefly after the meeting, his first such interaction with the media since he was sacked. "It has been a very enjoyable experience for me and I have learnt a lot being an international coach. If the board wants to have a local coach, good luck to them. I have no grievances with them. It was an honor for me to coach the Pakistan team."

While Lawson is planning on flying back to Australia, most likely on Saturday, the fitness trainer he brought with him to Pakistan is likely to stay on. David Dwyer, the Australian trainer, also met Altaf and was he asked by the board to stay. At the time of Lawson's sacking it was believed that Dwyer would also go back with him, but he was convinced otherwise. "We allayed David's fears about the situation," Altaf said. "He is on board and staying on with us."