Cricket: Pakistan v England ODI Series Odds and Betting Preview

Story by George Coombs on 2012-02-13 00:52:57

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES –Pakistan face England in a four match One Day International series over the coming weeks and following their 3-0 whitewash in the Test series the hosts will look to press home their advantage in the shorter format of the game. England have a very poor record in ODI matches overseas having only won a single game in their last two tours and they have failed to adapt to the conditions in the UAE to date.

Pakistan are the 11/10 favourites (bet £10 to make £11 profit) with Ladbrokes and Paddy Power to wrap up another series victory and look a settled side having won 15 of their last 18 ODI matches. England can be backed at a standout 7/2 with Sportingbet and having only won 12 of their last 38 ODIs in Asia it is easy to see why they are friendless in the betting. A draw across the four games in this series is available at 21/20 with Boylesports.

Pakistan totally outplayed England in the Test matches and this looks set to continue in the 50-over game. Their spin bowlers have given England a thorough examination and Pakistan are able to bolster their squad with one of the World’s greatest One Day players in Shahid Afridi. He has the ability to change a game at any second and he will look to target England’s weakness against spin.

England were abysmal in the Test series and having arrived in the United Arab Emirates the number one Test side in world cricket the players will be very disappointed with their performances. Many of the squad remain and they will be eager to restore their tarnished reputation and the inclusion of fresh, young talent should rejuvenate a lacklustre England. Alastair Cook will captain the side and he looks set to open the batting with Kevin Pietersen who is promoted to the top of the order. England’s bowling department looks more settled and while Anderson will spearhead the attack, the young Jade Dernbach and Steven Finn continue to impress. Stuart Broad was the pick of the bowlers in the Test series and he should combine with spinner Graeme Swann and the returning Tim Bresnan to make up the rest of England’s attack.

In the Top Pakistan Series Batsman betting, Mohammad Hafeez and Younis Khan are both quoted at 7/2 with Blue Square to top the run scoring charts for their side. Imran Farhat should open the batting with Hafeez and comes next at 11/2 with bet365 while Misbah-ul-Haq is available at a standout 6/1 with Blue Square. Ul-Haq managed to score 964 runs last year averaging over 53 runs per game and enjoys batting in these conditions. The youngster Azhar Ali is priced up at 10/1 with Sportingbet while the explosive Shahid Afridi is an 18/1 chance with the same firm and should provide runs down the order.

Alastair Cook, Jonathon Trott and Kevin Pietersen are all a 7/2 chance with Betfred to be the Top England Series Batsman. Pietersen has been promoted to the top of the order but has failed in so many games recently while Trott has averaged over 56 in Asia in recent years and will hope his rich vein of form continues. Eoin Morgan needs a big score to cement his place in the side and can be backed at 11/2 with 888Sport while Craig Kieswetter an 8/1 shot with Paddy Power will have to quickly adapt to crucial new role as England’s  number five. Further down the betting comes Kieswetter’s Somerset colleague Jos Buttler who is a massive 16/1 with Boylesports in this market and he will look to take his opportunity with the bat when given a chance.

The world’s number one ODI bowler Saeed Ajmal tore through England in the Test seres so it is no surprise to see him a short price the Top Pakistan Series Bowler betting at 7/2 with Ladbrokes. The experienced Shahid Afridi is also an industry best price of 7/2 with BetVictor in this market and he claimed 45 wickets in 27 matches last year and will always be a threat to the English batsmen. Next in the betting, comes Umar Gul at 9/2 with Stan James while Abdur Rehman is a 6/1 chance with Ladbrokes.

In the Top England Series Bowler betting, the spinner Graeme Swann is the 7/2 favourite with Paddy Power and he is yet to reach his full potential on these flat spin friendly wickets. Stuart Broad is a 4/1 chance with Stan James while his fellow pacemen James Anderson and Tim Bresnan are both quoted at 5/1 with {blue Square. Samit Patel could have a role to play with the ball in this series and he can be backed at 8/1 to take the most wickets in the UAE.

The first ODI takes place on Monday 13th February in Abu Dhabi and all the action is broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Pakistan v England – Series Winner Odds
Pakistan v England – Top Pakistan Series Batsman Betting
Pakistan v England – Top England Series Batsman Betting
Pakistan v England – Top Pakistan Bowler Odds
Pakistan v England – Top England Bowler Odds