Coach King warns against complacency

His warning should be heeded since Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer promised a better performance by Pakistan in the second Test starting on Friday in Jamaica. "We will be coming back with full force in the second Test to draw the series," Woolmer promised.

Looking back at the debacle of the first match, Woolmer said: "We were simply outplayed by West Indies. Since I have been involved with the team we have not played well in Test cricket apart from couple of occasions. It was a very disappointing performance." Woolmer was particularly scathing in his criticism of the batsmen, who had a shocker in the first innings when Pakistan were bundled out for just 144.

"I thought we were spineless on that particular day with our batting," he said.

"It’s something we’ll address in the next few days. It’s not like the guys are out of form. They have been playing well. It’s just that they got themselves out very stupidly. There seemed (to be) no spirit, no fight at the crease," Woolmer said.

However, his Windies counterpart King said he was not reading too much into the Windies win. King also remarked that the victory was a result of their hard work.

"You look back over the South African series ... the public may not have felt it, but I felt we’ve been steadily improving. We’ve got a long way to go."

However, King accepted that the win was against a weaker Pakistan side, who were without their captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik and Yousuf Youhana. "I certainly think that the group, if they keep improving with their bowling can put Pakistan under pressure. On any given day you’re just not sure what you’re going to get from Pakistan, that’s one of their characteristics as well."

Woolmer also played down an alleged incident in the dressing-room involving Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi and Inzamam-ul-Haq. The Pakistan media widely reported that Afridi was apparently upset at being asked to open the batting by Younis, but Woolmer said the entire incident was blown out of proportion.

Meanwhile, Shabbir Ahmed is set to play in the second Test despite being reported for a suspected illegal bowling action. Saleem Altaf, the Pakistan team manager, confirmed that Shabbir will feature in the XI.

Pakistan were trying to ensure Yousuf Youhana’s return for the second Test. Youhana returned home before the first Test as his father was unwell. "We are trying but I can’t confirm if he would be able to make it back in time for the match," Altaf said.