Former Pakistan captain and coach Javed Miandad softened his stance on newly-appointed coach Geoff Lawson, saying he has "no ego" hassles in working with the Australian, who wants him to be a part of "coaching crew".
Miandad, who had lashed out at the Pakistan Cricket Board for hiring the Australian and also described him as an "average" player, mellowed down after Australian media reported Lawson as saying that he would like to seek the three-time national coach's inputs for the job.
"My top priority has always been Pakistan cricket and if Lawson wants my advice or help, and if ever he wants me to work with him, I have no ego problems doing that," he said.
Miandad, who played against Lawson in eight Tests between 1982 and '84, had earlier said, "I am not keen for a job but our own players can do a better job than foreigners."
Lawson had told The Australian: "I'd like to get Javed on board to be part of the coaching crew, to be part of the system and help out, because he was an outstanding player and a tough bloke as well.
"We could do with a few of those characteristics among the guys at the moment.
"I'm hoping to talk to all those people and see what contributions they can make. We can't control outside influences but it would be good if we could have some of those outside influences being positive."
Miandad said Lawson's positive remarks about him and other players was an apt reply to the way the Board had treated its own people during the selection process for a new coach.
"What Lawson has said it shows that our Board also needs to learn to respect its former players and not treat them as second grade citizens," he said.
Miandad said even when Bob Woolmer was appointed coach he was always available for the country.
"I had also told Bob if ever he wanted my help he could give me a call. As far as my personal opinion about the Board's policy of appointing foreign coaches is concerned it remains there."
Asked if he would consider the possibility of working as a specialist batting coach, Miandad said, "It is premature to say anything on it. There is no such offer at the moment so I would only think about it if there is any possibility in the future."
