2nd ODI: Pakistan v England Odds and Betting Preview

Story by George Coombs on 2012-02-15 10:40:51

ABU DHABI, UAE – Pakistan entertain England in the second One Day International on Wednesday at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. The hosts were completely blown away by England in the opening encounter which was a total reversal of the form shown in the Test series.

Pakistan are the standout 5/6 favourites (bet £6 to make £5 profit) with sportingbet for this tie despite their 130-run thrashing on Monday while England can be backed at 11/10 with bet365 and Skybet.

Pakistan were bowled out for a meagre 130 runs in Dubai and they will be eager to perform more consistency over the remainder of the four match series. They have become a very unpredictable team and no one expected such an abject display on Monday night given the dominance they showed by whitewashing England in the longer format of the game. Umar Akmal strained his back in the match in Dubai and so is a doubt for this game and if he is not passed fit his brother Adnan could be selected to deputise behind the stumps.

England ran out comfortable winners of the opening ODI and this was thanks to a magnificent 137 from skipper Alastair Cook who yet again showed what a talented individual he is with bat in hand. Steven Finn ripped through the Pakistan middle order bowling under the lights and if England win the toss today then don’t be surprised to see them bat first. England will still be wary of their performance against the spinners as Saeed Ajmal picked up a five-wicket haul while the experienced Shahid Afridi managed to collect a couple of wickets in the opening match.

In the Top Pakistan Batsman betting, Pakistan’s openers Mohammed Hafeez and Imran Farhat are quoted at 7/2 and 5/1 respectively with Boylesports. Hafeez has only recorded one half-century in his last 11 innings and will be desperate to end his barren run. Younis Khan can be backed at 4/1 with Ladbrokes while the experienced Misbah-ul-Haq is an industry best price of 6/1 with the same firm. Azhar Ali could be drafted into the side and he is available at 6/1 with Boylesports to top score today.

Alastair Cook has been installed as the 10/3 favourite in the Top England Batsman market, following his great innings in Dubai. There he scored more runs than all eleven Pakistani batsmen and he will be confident on the pitches that have caused some of his colleagues so much trouble on this tour. Jonathan Trott is next in the betting, priced up at 4/1 with bet365 and the number three was removed without scoring on Monday but he rarely fails in consecutive games and he will look to bat through the innings providing a partner to some of England’s more explosive individuals. Kevin Pietersen is still adapting his game to opening the batting and is available at9/2 with Ladbrokes to top score today while Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara can be backed at 6/1 with BetVictor.

Play begins at 11.00 GMT on Wednesday 15th February and every delivery is broadcast live on Sky Sports 1.

Pakistan v England – Match Result Odds

Pakistan v England - Series Preview