Melbourne, Sep 9 : Mystery surrounds the future of Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson after he left the strife-torn country to return to Australia.

The Pakistan Cricket Board was quick to hose down speculation Lawson was on the outer with the new-look board.

Last month, PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf resigned, just hours after the organisation's patron President Pervez Musharraf stepped down as Pakistan leader.

Not even former teammate and Cricket NSW supremo David Gilbert was aware of Lawson's sudden departure, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Some sources said they were surprised Lawson even returned to Pakistan after he arrived Down Under as part of the International Cricket Council panel trying to sell the Champions Trophy.

PCB spokesman Mansoor Suhail told local media: "Geoff will be back later this month." But sources told local news agencies the former NSW and Australian paceman was weighing up his future.

ANI