'Ex coach Lawson feels Pak can become World No 1 through consistent performances, oversees wins'

Karachi, Jan 30(ANI): Former Pakistan cricket coach Geoff Lawson has said Misbah-ul Haq's side is playing terrific cricket but added that only consistent performances and oversees wins will help the team to rise to the top of the ICC rankings.

"The key is to be consistent, and they got some good seam bowlers, some excellent spin bowlers and some batsmen who are hard to get out. Yes, they are heading in the right direction, but considering this is a home series, they have just got to win away from home, and they'll go up the rankings pretty quickly," PakPassion.net quoted Lawson, as saying.

Lawson also backed Dav Whatmore to become the cricket head coach, saying that only he can elevate cricketing standards in the country.

"I still think if Pakistan wants to go ahead, they still need a quality coach. Dav Whatmore is the right person. I heard a minister say they are not going to pay him, but he will be terrific for them. Right now, he will work very well with Misbah and take them to another level, which they will not get to with Mohsin Khan sitting in the chair. I am sure Mohsin's not really providing too much," he added.

Referring to the recently concluded India- Australia Test series, Lawson said that Australian bowling was better than batting at the moment and added that bowlers have played a key role in India's whitewash.

He admitted that the recently- concluded Test series did not reflect the extent of Australia's improvement because India was not at its best and their performance has constantly slid downhill after the 2011 World Cup win. (ANI)