KARACHI (Reuters):

Former Pakistan captains Javed Miandad and Intikhab Alam criticised the national board yesterday for choosing another foreign coach in Geoff Lawson.

"How can you expect a foreigner to have the same feeling of patriotism or nationalism that a Pakistani does? Instead of bringing in foreigners the board should first try to improve the grassroot cricket level," Miandad told Reuters.

Australian Lawson was confirmed as the new coach by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) earlier yesterday, succeeding former England international Bob Woolmer who died of suspected heart failure during the World Cup in the West Indies in March.

Intikhab, who was manager-cum-coach when Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup in Australia, said Lawson was in for a tough time.

"I have nothing against him but he should be prepared for a lot of criticism and a hard time," said Intikhab. "The board should first try to find out if we really need a foreign coach and than take a decision. I believe some of our players are equally good and capable of delivering results as they have done in the past."

Lawson's appointment was announced by the PCB after a meeting of its ad-hoc committee yesterday.