PERTH, Dec 11: Retired fast bowling great Dennis Lillee warned that Pakistan were a team that produced their best in big matches and despite lacklustre form on the current tour of Australia they could not be written off.

Pakistan take on Australia in three Tests, with the first starting at the Western Australian Cricket Association Ground in Perth next Thursday.

"I think that the Pakistanis are always a team that save their best until it's an interesting game," Lilee told Perth radio station 6PR.

"I don't see it as something they do on purpose - you can't take too much notice of their training and lead-up games."

Pakistan were beaten by 10 runs in a three-day match against a Western Australian Second XI in their opening tour match and although they won a one-dayer against a Cricket Australia Chairman's XI, their form was less than impressive.

At lunch on the third day of their final pre-test workout against the full Western Australian state team also at the WACA ground, their top order again fell cheaply in the second innings.

After making just 262 in the first innings, Pakistan were still 37 runs behind the Western Australian first innings total of 404 for 9 (dec) after losing 105 for 4 in the morning session.

It was obviously less than ideal preparation for the opening test but Lillee said the Australians should not become complacent.

"They are very much a team for the occasion and when they want to they can turn it on," he said.-AFP