March 13, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 4,1429

KARACHI, March 12: Australia are on the decline and Pakistan would have had a good opportunity to beat them had the world champions not postponed their planned tour, Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson said on Wednesday.

“Australia at the moment are more vulnerable than ever before. We had a good opportunity to beat them in the Tests and one-dayers,” Lawson said.

Australia were always a hard side to beat but they were more on the decline than on the rise at the moment, he added.

“I thought we had a good chance to beat them. That is why it is all the more disappointing they are not coming now.”

Pakistan has finalised a five match one-day series with Bangladesh in April but Lawson said it would not fill the void left by Australia’s postponement.

“Bangladesh is an improving side. But obviously the Australians are the side to beat,” he said.—Reuters