CAPE TOWN: After going down 4-1 in the one-day cricket international series in South Africa, Pakistani coach Richard Pybus realises that his team has 'a fair way' to go before they can consistently compete on the pitches to be used in next year's World Cup.

"Teams from the sub-continent can talk about how to play in South Africa, but they still have to do it," Pybus told The Cape Argus Thursday after their 34-run defeat at Newlands. Pybus, who once coached South African provincial team Border, acknowledges that his batsmen need to change their methods when playing away from home on the faster, bouncier tracks of South Africa.

"In South Africa you have to play the ball in front of square a lot; in the sub-continent you play behind square. In South Africa you don't get many 'drive' balls," Pybus explained.

The Pakistani coach also pointed out that his bowlers need to alter their length significantly when on tour to countries like South Africa and Australia. "We have a lot of swing bowlers who pitch it up. The South Africans have seam bowlers who pitch back of a length."

Skipper Waqar Younis is adamant that the inclusion of a quality all-rounder, like the currently injured Azhar Mahmood, would lift his team's performance considerably.

Waqar said of the all-rounder: "We'll find out in a week's time what his position is. He is in England for treatment. We have missed him, he bowls well in South African conditions.