Khan and Miandad defend under-fire Pakistan coach Lawson

KARACHI (Reuters) - Former Pakistan cricketers Imran Khan and Javed Miandad defended under-fire national coach Geoff Lawson on Wednesday, saying the Australian was not the only one responsible for the team's poor performances.

New Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ejaz Butt described Lawson as "useless" on Monday and said his contract would not be renewed when it runs out in July-August.

"How can you blame the coach for Pakistan cricket's ills when your domestic structure is stagnant," Khan said.

Lawson, a former Australian test pacer, was appointed coach in July 2007 after the death of Bob Woolmer during the World Cup. He has not commented on Butt's remarks.

Miandad said Lawson was not the only one who should be blamed for the inconsistent performances of team.

"It is not just an issue of coaching. Lawson should not be blamed solely. The players should also take responsibility and I think they should be held accountable as well," said Miandad, who had three spells as national coach.

Khan said Pakistan needed to improve its domestic cricket structure.

"Don't expect miracles from the coach. If a coach could produce results without a proper domestic system then Bangladesh had the best coach (Dav Whatmore) and they should have been world champions," Khan said.

Khan and Miandad are regarded as Pakistan's greatest cricketers and spearheaded the team that won the 1992 World Cup.