pakistan, however, received little support as potential hosts of the champions trophy, a fact on which butt expressed surprise. he warned that a divide would occur in the world of cricket should sub-continent cricket tours be marginalised. india later cancelled their tour to pakistan, though butt was hoping to host australia after the latter team expressed an interest. in october 2008 he also asked questions of the financial security of the previous pcb officials, and speculated on the removal of geoff lawson, then pakistani coach, from his position. two days later, however, he reversed his position by stating he was "duty-bound to fully back lawson and to take care of all his liabilities." shafqat naghmi, pcb chief operating officer, also threatened to sue butt over allegations that the former was stealing official documents.