Woolmer cautious ahead of Multan Test

Bob Woolmer lauded Pakistan's all-round performance in the nine-wicket win over West Indies in Lahore, but warned that the going might not be as smooth in the second Test, due to begin on November 19 at Multan.

Speaking to reporters at the National Cricket Academy at Gaddafi Stadium during a break in practice, Woolmer said, "It was a great team effort, which was important. We batted well and bowled really well, but we can improve in the field, especially our catching. We caught West Indies after they had played a lot of ODI cricket and we have to be aware of that. They will come back hard at us in Multan."

In retrospect, the Test was decided on the first day when Shahid Nazir and Umar Gul shared eight wickets in tumbling out West Indies for a paltry 206. The two ended with 15 of the 20 wickets to fall, proving yet again that any number of first-choice absentee bowlers only means a few more will come to the fore as far as Pakistan is concerned.

Woolmer acknowledged the plentiful resources Pakistan can fall back on. "We had two key bowlers missing but you know, if we ask 30 bowlers to come down from the country somewhere we will probably find two more to do a similar job. Pakistan has an abundance of riches in medium-fast, fast-medium and swing and seam bowling. Maybe it's something to do with the conditions in Punjab this time of the year.

"Umar Gul was quite special and Shahid Nazir bowled really well. Razzy [Abdul Razzaq] also backed them up well. Danish also bowled well, but really as a unit, they bowled tight lines and in good areas."

Brian Lara's decision to bat first in murky overcast decisions didn't help, though he might not have been aware that he was continuing a poor historical precedent: only three sides batting first at Gaddafi Stadium have triumphed in 37 contests before this one. Woolmer might have known, admitting that Pakistan would have fielded first anyway. "I had a feeling had we won the toss we might have fielded first. The pitch was cold, there was some moisture underneath and it was foggy and overcast. A difficult decision but yes it was a good toss to lose."

There are worse ways to begin preparations for a World Cup season than a comprehensive Test win but Pakistan travel to South Africa just before the tournament and given their perennial difficulties with bouncy pitches, an easy home win on friendly surfaces might be deceiving. Woolmer is already planning.

"We've asked to go to South Africa earlier so that we can have ten days there to practice and get used to those conditions. The guys will need a break after this series but we are planning to go a little bit earlier," he revealed.

The last time Pakistan traveled to South Africa was in 2002-03, like now, just before a World Cup. Losing the Tests 2-0 and the ODIs 4-1 was hardly ideal for morale and questions have been asked whether it might not be worth postponing the tour. "The ICC has done the itinerary," said Woolmer. "South Africa is a tough team and will give us good competition. The pitches will be different but I think touch matches before we travel to the Caribbean will be good for us and is what we need."