Skipper Younis Khan paid the price for a loose shot

They lost by 124 runs to South Africa in Mohali despite having them 42-5 at one stage on a seamer-friendly pitch.

The Proteas eventually totalled 213-8 and then bowled out Pakistan for 89.

"It was a very disappointing performance with the bat, but I thought there was a major improvement in the field," Woolmer told the BBC.

Pakistan's preparation for the tournament could hardly have been worse with skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq absent because of a four-match ban and Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif sent home after failing a drugs test.

But they began encouragingly with a four-wicket win over in-form Sri Lanka, only to lose to New Zealand by 51 runs in their second game after allowing the Kiwis to score 99 off the final 10 overs of their innings.

Woolmer was much happier with his bowlers against South Africa despite the mid-innings recovery by Mark Boucher and Justin Kemp which ultimately proved decisive in the overall context of the match.

But the batsmen then failed to show the technique and resolve to cope with South Africa's pace attack.

"Our game plan was to get to 20 overs by leaving the ball, playing a Test match innings. But if that's a Test match innings, I don't want to play Test cricket," Woolmer commented.

"It was one of those pitches, if you got your lengths right, it was very difficult to play - the ball nipped around and took the edge of the bat.

"Pressure does get to you, and [sometimes] you can't relieve it. It did go sideways and it was difficult but I'm not making any excuses. We batted poorly."

Woolmer praised his side for a "brave effort" in the face of adverse circumstances prior to the tournament, and backed them to raise their game for the World Cup in the Caribbean.

"Conditions will be very different there and we've got two series [before then], 10 more one-day internationals, so there's plenty of time to get us back on track," he added.