Asif bowled 16 overs in just under two sessions on the final day

Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul flew home before the Cape Town Test, leaving a tired Mohammad Asif to do most of the fast bowling in the five-wicket loss.

"Fatigue leads to injuries - it's a proven equation," Woolmer said.

"If you have too much fatigue, your back goes or you twinge a hamstring or get a stress fracture."

In the last six months Woolmer's men have had Test series against England, West Indies and South Africa, as well as 12 one-dayers including the Champions Trophy in India.

They now face a Twenty20 game and five ODIs against the Proteas before the World Cup in March.

He added: "The current schedules are ridiculous - cricket has to look at it. As a coach I have to manage these things.

"We've got Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar and Shabbir Ahmed sitting at home.

"Somewhere along the line the commercial aspects and the physical aspects of looking after players have to be revisited."

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was off the field for much of day three with a back injury.

With fine tuning and greater fitness levels he'll be a real force in the future of Pakistan cricket Woolmer on Asif

Seamer Mohammad Sami struggled to bowl his one over after the webbing of his bowling hand was split while fielding on Saturday.

Despite those handicaps, a brave display from Asif gave the visitors hope of victory when two early wickets reduced South Africa to 39-4 in their pursuit of 161.

The 24-year-old took 19 wickets in the series and bowled 126 overs in the three-match series - a workload second only to leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.

"Asif has been incredible. He's a top quality bowler," Woolmer enthused.

"He's still young in Test cricket and has got a long way to mature but he's very close to the top of his trade already.