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Pakistan cricket supporters were bewildered and stunned by the manner of defeat in the first Test at Lord's where England decimated them in three days. "It is a black day for Pakistan cricket. If the team cannot survive for three days in Test cricket, they have no business to be playing at the highest level," Abdul Razi, a 47-year-old banker, said.

"We are not the whipping boys of international cricket, if managed and handled professionally," he added.

Razi was not the only who telephoned this newspaper office to register his anguish, frustration and anger. There were many enthusiasts who demanded the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to raise their hands and admit they were responsible for Pakistan's defeat and that too without offering a fight.

Former Test stalwarts admitted they were surprised and shocked but refused to comment on the performance of the team. "If one has to live peacefully and without any scares, its better to stay away from cricket politics and retrain from comments because days are gone when criticism was taken on the chin by the administrators."

Nevertheless, the unknown ones were all out for the team, demanding the heads to fall. "If we have to lose in three days, why play so-called champion and experienced players. Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Saeed Anwar should retire respectably before they are thrown out," remarked Mrs Shaista Rizwan, a school teacher.

Nauman-ul-Haq, a NED university student, said: "PCB have hired half a dozen foreigners to manage the team. But it seems that as many imported experts were required to run the PCB because the present set of administrators lack vision, temperament and skills to run the board."

It is not the first time in recent years that Pakistan have lost in three days.

Earlier in March, Pakistan lost to New Zealand at Hamilton in three days. In 1999, Pakistan failed to take the match beyond three days at Perth (Australia) while same was the story at Port Elizabeth (South Africa) in 1998.

Pakistan supporters' criticizm might be premature considering the fact that still a Test is to be played at Old Trafford. The present outfit has the potential and talent to bounce back and salvage their pride.

© Dawn