Cricket: 2nd Test – Pakistan v England Odds and Betting Preview

Story by George Coombs on 2012-01-24 18:16:57

ABU DHABI, UAE – England will be eager to bounce back from their ten-wicket defeat in the opening Test match against Pakistan when the second match begins in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. This will be the third Test match held at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium and the pitch looks set to favour the batsmen, with the two previous games resulting in high-scoring draws. England worked so hard to reach the summit of the Test rankings and a defeat in this series by more than a one-Test margin would see them fall from that position, so they will need to improve in Abu Dhabi.

A draw is the most favoured result, priced up at a standout 5/4 with bet365 whilst England are 23/10 at Boylesports, despite being on the receiving end of a heavy defeat in the opener. Pakistan are quoted at 5/2 with Betfred, a result which would give the hosts an unassailable lead in the three match series.

Pakistan were impressive in Dubai taking all 20 England wickets as they sailed to an easy victory.  The hosts are expected to name an unchanged side for this Test and these players will bid to capture a historic series victory over the World’s number one Test ranked side. The Pakistani spinner Saeed Ajmal was key to their opening win collecting 10 England wickets in the game. He has amassed more wickets in his first 18 Test matches than either Shane Warne or Muttiah Muralitharan managed at the same stage in their careers and he should have a long international future ahead of him.

England have been out of sorts since they touched down in the desert. Their top-order batsmen have failed to adapt to the conditions and these players will need to find their form on another batsman friendly track this week. England have shown in the Andy Flower era that they are at their most dangerous hitting back after adversity and Pakistan will expect a tougher test here. Chris Tremlett looks to be sidelined by injury and despite many calls for the inclusion of a second spinner England look set to include Graham Onions, a man who has not featured in the Test side since January 2010.

In the Top Pakistan Batsman market, Mohammad Hafeez is the general 7/2 favourite whilst Younis Khan is a 4/1 chance with Skybet. Hafeez single-handily knocked the 15 runs Pakistan required in the second innings in Dubai having scored 88 runs in the first innings and looks in great touch. Taufeeq Umar is his opening partner and is a 5/1 shot with Paddy Power, while skipper Misbah-ul-Haq is quoted at 11/2 with Skybet. Another available at this 11/2 price with the same firm is Azhar Ali who would love to make a big score, having made the number three slot his own in previous series.

England’s batsmen were to blame for the huge margin of defeat in Dubai and many hours of practice has been done in the nets to try and nullify the threat of Ajmal. Jonathan Trott and Alastair Cook are both quoted at 4/1 with Boylesports but all eyes will be on the captain Andrew Strauss who has failed to deliver a big score with the at in recent Test matches and is  a 5/1 chance with BetVictor in the Top England Batsman betting. Kevin Pietersen doesn’t seem to be able to perform at his best unless he plays in a packed stadium and the eyes of the world watching and so he will not be suited by conditions here but is priced up at 5/1 with Stan James.

Saeed Ajmal has been the big talking point in this series and it is unsurprising to see him installed as the 11/5 favourite in the Top Pakistan Bowler market with Stan James. However his figures were 1/167 in his last inning on this track which he will want to improve on. Umar Gul is a 3/1 chance with Ladbrokes while Abdur Rehman is quoted at 7/2 with Paddy Power.

Graeme Swann was passed in the top Test bowler rankings by his Pakistani counterpart Ajmal and the Englishman will be eager to perform on this spin-friendly pitch. He can be backed at 9/4 with Ladbrokes while Stuart Broad and James Anderson are available at 11/4 and 3/1 respectively with Betfred. Graham Onions should complete England’s four man attack and he is 4/1 with Boylesports to be the Top England Bowler on his return to the side.

Play begins at 06.30 GMT on Wednesday 25th January and every delivery is broadcast live on Sky Sports 1.

Pakistan v England – Match Result Odds
Pakistan v England – Top Pakistan Batsman Odds
Pakistan v England – Top England Batsman Odds
Pakistan v England – Top Pakistan Bowler Betting
Pakistan v England – Top England Bowler Betting

Pakistan v England – Series Betting Preview