Newspapers and former players in Pakistan reacted angrily to the defeat at Sharjah, with almost universal condemnation of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Dawn newspaper led the scathing criticism. "To say it was shameful, gutless and nothing better than a club side would not be an exaggeration or outlandish. It was simply pathetic," it said, adding that the defeat was "the sons of the soil betraying the nation's faith in them". The article went on to criticise the PCB for its lack of investment in up-and-coming players. "By asking the young players to face world champions Australia head on without being battle-hardened and experienced, the PCB has done a great disservice to them," reported Dawn.

"Some people in the board are just interested in what they achieve for themselves. They are least bothered about enhancing Pakistan's image on world front."

The English-language Nation newspaper described "Pakistan's ignominious rout". Agha Akbar, their correspondent, wrote, "No other team has plumbed such depths in the last half a century and more, and this display of spineless batting on a wicket which, as the Australians had amply demonstrated, held no demons."

There was also no shortage of former players ready to offer their opinions. "Youngsters were over confident after their good showing in the first Test," said Hanif Mohammad. "The inexperienced batting line-up could not stand up to the pressure applied by the Australians, who are the top side in the world. Personally I am very disappointed and hurt in the manner the team lost."

Zaheer Abbas, who leads the country's junior selection committee, blamed the senior players who had opted to miss the series. "You can't really blame the young lot because they were short on experience, especially when pitted against the world's best side," he said. "They are our future and we must bank on them. But about the seniors? How could they skip out of the series on pretext of taking rest? These senior players instead chose to prefer non-serious events ahead of country. This is simply not on."

The usually loquacious Javed Miandad, who until recently was coach of the Pakistan side, gave his support to Waqar Younis. "This is a young team and it will obviously take time to get used to playing someone like Australia. You can't blame the captain at the moment because you can see the team is young. You can't lay the blame with anybody."

"Making changes is not going to make any difference - you have got to give them time," he said.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd