PERTH, Dec 3: Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer admitted he was puzzled by his team's unpredictable form after they crashed to defeat against a second string Western Australian side in their opening tour match on Friday.

Chasing just 94 runs for victory, Pakistan slumped to a second innings total of 83 on the third and final day of the match against the Western Australian second XI at James Oval.

Yousuf Youhana with 41 and Younis Khan with 28 were the only batsmen to reach double figures, while five recorded ducks. "I've been with Pakistan for five months now, and we've done this three or four times," said Woolmer, a former England Test batsman.

"We're unpredictable, you can take what you like out of this. I don't know what's going on either." Pakistan had seemed set to wrap up the match after bowling the home side out for 158 on the opening day then going on to make 257 in reply.

When the local side scored only 192 runs in their second innings, victory had seemed a formality for Pakistan until South African-born quick Justin Coetzee began savaging the top order on Thursday, leaving them 44-6 overnight.

When they resumed on Friday, Pakistan still only needed 50 runs to win with four wickets in hand but again Coetzee, who had taken 5-66 in the first innings, and pace bowler James Sprague tore through the tourists' tail.

Coetzee claimed 5-23 and Sprague 3-24 as Pakistan wilted, despite having the advantage of using 15 players to either bat or bowl throughout the seven sessions. Although disappointed with the opening loss, Woolmer insisted there were positives to be taken from the match.

"We can take a lot out of it, in the sense that we didn't bat very well on a very good cricket wicket," he said. "It showed the limitations of some of our young batsmen and our senior batsmen as well, so we've got a lot of work to do in the next few days.

"I think it's a reality check for all the players who now have to start working a bit harder than they were. "Of course I'm concerned about our performance, but it's not a big blow."

Woolmer said the practice in Australian conditions was invaluable. "There was enough in the pitch - the Western Australian bowlers bowled very well and made the ball move. We found it tough to deal with that." But he said the experience on Australian wickets would be useful for his young squad. "Saying that, I don't think this is a Test pitch. Test pitches are better than this," he said.

"Lack of foot movement, lack of presence ... the ball just nips around in Australia, and specifically on this pitch. There are a lot of very minor things which I think we can put right."

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq missed the three days with bronchitis but should be ready to play in the one-day tour match against a Chairman's XI at Perth's Lilac Hill ground next Tuesday.

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