18 December 2004	Saturday	05 Ziqa'ad 1425

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PERTH, Dec 17: Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer labelled his team's dismal batting efforts a disgrace on Friday as the tourists were spared the humiliation of a follow-on purely because of a tactical decision by Australian captain Ricky Ponting.

"If you saw how Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami batted, really it was a disgraceful performance out the front," Woolmer said, referring to the failure of his top and middle order.

Woolmer refused to use the bouncy Perth wicket as an excuse, noting that his team had had plenty of time to get used to local conditions. "We have been here for two weeks and we should have acclimatised," he said.

"Obviously pressure of the match situation seems to hone in on the cricketers because I know they are much better than this. "If I could put my finger on why it's happening I would have stopped it by now."

Woolmer said he would talk to each of the players to try to determine the problems. "I get the feeling they need to come out of their shells, need to express themselves more, need to develop their talent as cricketers," he said.

There was more bad news for Pakistan after Akhtar limped off the ground halfway through his second over late on Friday. Woolmer said the problem had been caused by some ankle strapping rubbing away skin and the pace bowler would be available to play on Saturday. -AFP