Shoaib believes Lawson will be good for the pace bowlers

Former captains Javed Miandad and Intikhab Alam criticised the decision to hire a foreign coach.

But Shoaib said: "I am excited he is coming. He can lift us to the level where we can become the world-beaters.

"I am confident Lawson will help us beat Australia because he knows their weaknesses and strong points."

The 31-year-old, who returned to the Pakistan side last month after missing the World Cup because of injury, believes former Test fast bowler Lawson's appointment will be good for him and his fellow pacemen.

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"He is someone who believes fast bowlers can win matches and I will definitely be able to lift the level of my performance under him. Once the fast bowlers deliver the team will benefit," he said.

"Even Steve Waugh and Mark Taylor benefitted from Lawson's help when they played alongside him in New South Wales, so he must have something which worked."

Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik and predecessor Inzamam-ul-Haq have also welcomed the appointment of Lawson.

Malik said: "Lawson is known to be a positive-minded coach and during our short meeting with him in Abbotabad when he came for his interview he impressed us with his ideas and behaviour."

"Lawson is a good choice if the players want him because a good working relationship between a coach and players is necessary to get good results," said Inzamam.

"There is no doubt we have some great players. I have learnt a lot about batting from Javed Miandad, our former coach. But coaching nowadays is also about man-management and foreigners tend to be better at this."

Pakistan will take part in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in September in South Africa, then host South Africa for two Tests and five one-day internationals and tour India for three Tests and five one-day matches.

They also host world champions Australia in March and April next year.