Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad has come to the defence of the team's under-fire coach Geoff Lawson, saying the Australian should be allowed to complete his contract.
The former batsmen said he would not like to see Lawson being removed by the Board before the completion of his contract in August 2009.
Lawson joined the Pakistan team as coach in August last year on a two-year contract and he has had mixed luck so far. Rumours that he could be sacked soon are doing the rounds although the Pakistan Cricket Board has denied any such development.
Miandad said it would not be right to replace Lawson without allowing him to complete his contract as it would set a wrong precedent.
Miandad, who was coach of the Pakistan team for three separate terms between 1998 and 2004, was himself unceremoniously asked to step down as coach in 2004 after Pakistan lost to India at home although he had one year of his contract remaining with the board.
"What example of discipline can you set by not honouring valid contracts. They (PCB) did the same with me. I had a legal contract with them and yet behind my back they were negotiating with another coach (Woolmer)," Miandad told Geo TV.
"They should allow Lawson to complete his contract but if he wants out himself that is another issue," Miandad added.
He said the Board itself was one of the most indisciplined institutions in Pakistan and their decisions reflected this.
"Nowhere in the world are contracts treated with such contempt. In our cricket system there is a proper contract system for everything including coaches and players with relevant clauses and yet despite repeated breaches no action is taken by the Board," he said.
"Similarly the board is also bound to adhere to the contractual terms. They don't do that nowhere in the world is a coach or player allowed to give statements like in Pakistan and similarly nowhere do the board officials speak on every issue like it happens in Pakistan. So what discipline are we
talking about in Pakistan cricket," he added.