Bob Willis believes England's failure to perform in sub-continental conditions is nothing new and says they must improve before facing Sri Lanka and India.

England fell to a series whitewash in Pakistan on Monday after losing three Tests in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, going down in the final match by 71 runs.

Willis praised the tourists' bowlers but admits the batsmen's failure to adapt to the conditions left England well short of the standard required.

"The batting problems aren't anything new in the subcontinent, England have really struggled there, apart from Nasser Hussain's side winning in Sri Lanka and Pakistan," he told Sky Sports.

"This isn't anything new as far as England are concerned. A lot of sides go to the subcontinent and don't get results, and when the sub-continental sides leave those conditions they can't play anywhere else.

"There is a special art in batting in sub-continental conditions and England haven't learned that art I'm afraid.

"There is a special art in batting in sub-continental conditions and England haven't learned that art I'm afraid"
Bob Willis Quotes of the week

"Everyone has been shocked by the dismal batting, there is no doubt about that, and what Anderson, Broad, Swann and Panesar make of it all, having done their sterling work and coming out losing the series 3-0, one can only speculate."

He added: "They learned something from the embarrassment in Abu Dhabi, they didn't want to go down with a whimper again, so the batsmen changed their styles.

"Their footwork was better, they were busy at the crease, moved down the wicket more often and attempted more innovative strokes. But it was still way short of what was required."

Pakistan praise

Willis praised Pakistan's performance throughout the series under the guidance of Misbah ul-Haq and was impressed by Saeed Ajmal's spin.

However, it was England's failure to play Pakistan's other bowlers that he believes is a cause for concern.

He said: "The biggest disappointment from the batting line-up was not how they played and failed against Saaed Ajmal, you can expect that against an unorthodox spinner, but there are better bowlers in the world than Umar Gul and Abdur Rehman.

"I think that's what really needs looking at - that type of bowler is going to be up against them in Sri Lanka and India.

"They may not have a doosra bowler in Sri Lanka or India but they are going to have to play the other bowlers better in these sub-continental conditions.

"No praise is too high for Pakistan, especially the young batsmen who did so well. Their bowling was also just superb.

"Misbah wants better performances away from home and he knows when they do go away from home they are going to need a better seam-bowling attack than that one."