The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Islamabad

Geoff Lawson was sacked as Pakistan's cricket coach with immediate effect Friday, an official of the PCB said.

"His contract is being terminated and the board has decided to pay him three months advance salary," PCB media manager Raza Rashid told The Associated Press.

Lawson was hired by former PCB chief Nasim Ashraf in July 2007 for a two-year contract.

The new chairman of the cricket board Ijaz Butt had said earlier this week that Lawson would be dismissed, but said he would see out his contract because the PCB could not afford to pay him out. Rashid did not reveal how much the PCB paid in compensation.

There was no immediate word on a replacement for Lawson. Pakistan has not played very little cricket in 2008. Australia called off a tour on security grounds, and similar concerns led to the postponement of the limited-overs Champions Trophy due to be

played there this year.

Its next international fixtures will be against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, next month. The teams will play three one-day games and are negotiating about playing accompanying tests.

Under Lawson's stewardship Pakistan lost important test series against South Africa at home and away against India last year.

Pakistan also failed to qualify for the final of the Asia Cup one-day tournament at home in July.

The team did reach the final of the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship under his stewardship Former Pakistan test players had demanded Lawson's removal,

notably ex-test opener Mohsin Khan.

"Lawson has no caliber to coach at the top level," Khan said last week. "He was a second string bowler in his playing days when fiery pacemen Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thompson ruled the world. Even Terry Alderman was ahead of him."

Lawson, 50, played 46 tests from 1980-89, taking 180 wickets at an average of 30.56. He took 88 wickets in 79 one-day games at an average of 29.45.