More than 1100 runs were scored in the first Test in Rawalpindi, with only 14 wickets falling in five days. However, Australia again scored more than 500 runs in the first innings of the Karachi Test. Mark Taylor, who led Australia on there 1998 tour of Pakistan, said Pakistan has great cricketers, but the PCB has refused to listen to them out of fear of losing.
The Rawalpindi pitch at the first match and the pitch at the second test match at Karachi looked quite similar. Bowlers didn’t get much help during the innings. As a result, the Pakistan Cricket Board faced a lot of criticism from ex-cricketers and analysts around the world. Mark Taylor also questioned the PCB over the pitches offered in both matches and their behavior. The former Australian skipper said that it had given a negative impact on the fans as well, as they were excited about this historic test series between the two nations.
“It shows where Pakistan cricket is at” – Mark Taylor
During a media interaction with Nine’s Sports Sunday, Taylor said that it shows where Pakistan cricket is. He also said that Pakistan currently has some good cricketers in the team, but they need to be more adventurous in their game. The former Australian skipper also questioned the approach of the home team. He said that after having some good fast bowlers, they still went for dead pitches in the first two matches. He said, “More or less, they’re saying, ‘don’t lose this series’. That is my worry. Just don’t lose.”
Taylor also pointed out that the pitches in Pakistan can’t offer much pace and bounce, but the management can make a competitive wicket after leaving the grass on it. However, he also said that, “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.”
After this match, both teams will move to Lahore for the final match. The third test will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore between March 21 and 25. It will be followed by the white-ball series. Both nations will play three ODIs and a one-off T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from March 29 to April 5.