"That is my worry"- Mark Taylor questions Pakistan's defensive mindset

Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has opined that the nature of pitches that Pakistan have dished out in the ongoing series against Australia is a reflection of their mindset at the moment.

The much-anticipated three-match Test series has proved to be a dour affair thus far, with batsmen dominating proceedings for the best part of the first eight days.

Over 1000 runs were scored for just 14 wickets in the first Test in Rawalpindi, leading to intense scrutiny from one and all. 

After the Test match, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja accepted that the conditions had been neutralized by the authorities as the home side were short of resources and that they didn't want to put the game in Australia's lap by preparing seamer-friendly tracks.

"While I do understand the disappointment of fans, we need to keep in mind that it's a three-match series. There is a lot of cricket still to be played and just for the heck of it, we cannot put the game in Australia's lap by preparing a fast bouncy pitch," Raja had said.

Raja's statement were met with strong criticism from fans as well as pundits. The latest to join the bandwagon is Mark Taylor, who feels that Pakistan cricket has enough talent at the moment but the authorities don't seem to have trust in their players.

"Unfortunately, I think it shows where Pakistan cricket is at. They have got some very good cricketers at the moment, and I would love to see their establishment be a little more adventurous with what they're telling them," Taylor told Nine's Sports.

He added:

"Firstly, the two pitches we've had, at Rawalpindi and at Karachi, have been roads. They are hard, you can see there's not much grass on them. Pakistan bowling is very good, they've got some very good quicks these days. It looks to me like they haven't backed their side in general.

Taylor signed off by saying that the biggest worry for him is Pakistan's defensive mindset of ensuring safety first rather than going all out in pursuit of a win.

"More or less they're saying: don't lose this series'. That is my worry. Just don't lose. Pakistan pitches have never been minefields or green tops, but you would've expected a bit more grass with their quicks. And their batting is also very good. I would've loved to see good pitches put out for the first two (matches) and I think we would have had a very good series," added Taylor.

Meanwhile, the Mitchell Starc-led Australian attack has put all the talks surrounding the nature of pitch to rest as they knocked over the home side for a mere 148.

Starc dished out an epic reverse-swinging masterclass during the afternoon session, from which Pakistan could never recover. They were eventually dismissed for 148 but Australia decided against enforcing the follow-on.

The visitors swelled their lead to 489 at the close of play, with 9 second innings wickets still in the bank.