Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson Tuesday left for Australia after having differences over team selection.

While the pakistan cricket board denied any such report, sources told PTI that Lawson, in fact, had a big row with the selectors on Monday when they met to discuss and formalise the Champions trophy squad.

"Lawson was not happy with the insistence of the selectors to have Shahid Afridi in the squad who has not played since the Asia Cup due to a wrist injury and personal problems," a source said.

"They were also some disputes over the selection of other players as well and after a exchange of hot words Lawson left the academy in a huff after confirming a flight to Sydney," the source added.

The source said Lawson apparently before leaving had told some people at the academy that it was difficult for him to return now.

The official version of PCB says that Lawson had gone to Australia to talk to the Australian and New Zealand players on the recommendation of the International Cricket Council (ICC) task force, who are presently in Pakistan.

But the very fact that Lawson had already left for home while the task force remained in Karachi visiting the national stadium has raised serious doubts over the PCB's explanation.

A PCB spokesman told PTI that Lawson had been sent to Australia as the task force felt he could play a big role in assuring the players that it was safe and secure to play in Pakistan in the Champions Trophy that gets underway from September 12.

He also said that Lawson had left before the task force as he had already requested for a few days holidays at home. Interestingly Lawson had returned to Pakistan in late May after a month-long vacation at home.

The spokesman for the board said that the task force felt that since Lawson was well versed with the conditions in Pakistan he was the ideal man to convince the Australian and New Zealand players.

"They have borne his expenses," the spokesman added.

Lawson and the selectors have been at odds over selection matters since the Australian took over as coach last year in August.