Pakistan played well below their potential: Experts

London, May 21: The talented Pakistan team which came here with the avowed objective of beating England was licking its wounds on Monday after losing the Lord's test to the hosts by an innings and nine runs effectively in less than three days.

Words of comfort came from the Pakistani cricket legend Imran Khan who telephoned skipper Waqar Younis asking him not to lose heart. The team would do well in the next test at Old Trafford, Imran predicted.

England captain, Chennai-born Nasser Hussain was amazed at the easy victory and said "I was surprised by how easily we bowled Pakistan out, simply because I've got so much respect for their side. But now we have to go to Old Trafford, where the pitch will suit them better. We want to win that fifth series in a row."

The commentators also thought that age is catching up fast with Wasim and Waqar. "The duo gave it everything for Pakistan but with little reward. The years are catching up with them," they wrote. In the commentary box, former England captain Bob Willis too recognised the tell tale signs of a fast bowler stiffening up after bowling spells and finding it difficult to bend in the field or chase the ball.

While praising England for its outstanding performance, the media commented that Pakistan played a long way below their potential more than any thing because they were hopelessly under prepared after playing three three-day matches in cold weather against modest opposition.

Former England coach David Lloyd wrote, "Lord's in May, with dampness in the pitch and atmosphere, suits England far more than it does Pakistan. Waqar and Wasim, for all their quality and test match wickets, prefer dry, hot conditions to help rough up the ball and aid reverse swing."

They like to pitch the ball up to either hit pads or stumps, as do Darren Gough and Dominic Cork, whereas Caddick comes from such a great height to hit the pitch, hit the seam and find the edge of the bat, Loyd observed.

England could not have played much better than they did in this match and, by winning it so comfortably, they established the tone for the summer. It was their third successive victory, achieved, like those in Kandy and Colombo, after losing the toss, and its manner was so assured that the spectators went home last night believing that here at last is a team ready to challenge the Australians, the media said.

It is too early to say that with certainty but this much is undeniable: there is something unstoppable about England at the moment. They are not unbeatable, as the Aussies may prove shortly, but their spirit is unquenchable, and they can only draw nourishment from such a well-rounded performance as this. Every day, in every way, they are getting better, experts said.

This was their first victory against Pakistan at Lord's since 1978 and the first time they have managed three consecutive test wins on this ground since Peter May's side in 1959.