LAHORE, Aug 5: Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer believes that the team has to improve its performance if it is to rank among the best in Test cricket. Pakistan are currently lowly seventh in ICC Test rankings.

Talking to reporters, at the NCA on Friday, Woolmer explained that the team had proved as a well-knit unit in One-dayers but it was not strong enough for longer durations.

He pointed out the team could only draw two Test series and not win it. However, they have managed to win ODI series, he added. The coach said that he would concentrate more in improving the skills of players for Test cricket and admitted that the team was still lacking in the opening department and hinted a middle-order batsman could be used as an opener.

He went on to say that a strong seam attack was necessary and for it the match-fit Shoaib Akhtar, Shabbir and Mohammad Sami were needed and claimed that the medium-pacer Umar Gul had regained 100 per cent fitness after almost 15 months layoff.

The coach again advised Shoaib Akhtar that a short run-up was far better for the pacer to produce better results. About Shabbir’s illegal action, the coach said that he was working with the bowler but it was up to him (Shabbir), how much time he would take to rectify his action.

Shabbir’s action had been declared illegal after a medical report suggested the bowler had 27 degree bent instead of 15 degree permitted by the ICC. He said that medium-pacer Umar and Shahid Nazir would be given a chance in the home series against Australia “A” scheduled to be held next month.

He said that Kamran Akmal was the second best wicket-keeper in the world at the moment and the great batsman Brian Lara had also expressed the same opinion about the keeper. Similarly, he said Pakistan also had the world’s best middle-order batsman in Inzamamul Haq.