Couch Critic provides his betting tips for the first test match between England and Pakistan which starts in Manchester on Wednesday including best bets from @Olimp_SA
ENGLAND vs PAKISTAN - Wednesday 05 Aug, Manchester
Setting the Scene
It’s a new opponent that’s welcomed on familiar turf for England’s first test of three against Pakistan. The last two tests of the West Indies series were also held at this same venue. Stuart Broad managed an incredible 16 wickets across these two games. Yet Roston Chase and Dom Bess were also able to chip away at some wickets and given the fact that there has now been some cricket played we shouldn’t really be expecting a juicy, green track.
England come into this first test with plenty of confidence having put in 2 impressive showings. The young batting line-up eventually started to find their feet with both openers getting a few decent knocks in and Ollie Pope also delivering a ninety in the final game. The much talked about English attack relied heavily on Broad and Chris Woakes also had an impressive series against the Windies. A few questions will however be asked regarding whether Anderson is still capable of hitting the highs of yesteryear and Archer still hasn’t reached white-ball levels on the test scene.
Pakistan have spent some time acclimatising to English conditions. Unlike the stereo typical sub-continent team they have some impressive seam options to call on who will enjoy the UK swinging conditions on offer. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Abbas will lead the Pakistani attack and as per usual there is also a new young teenager to look out for in Naseem Shah. Azar Ali and Babar Azam form the middle order who’ll be tasked with trying to steer their way past the formidable English bowling attack.
How I see it Playing Out
Inter-squad games in the local conditions is a great way to try and acclimatise but it’ still a poor substitute compared to the home side coming off a well contested series with the West Indies. Much like with the Islanders this Pakistan bowling attack could very well make life tough for the Poms at Old Trafford but it’s the visiting batsmen that will be in the firing line against an attack with plenty of potential threats. I struggle to see Pakistan capable of chalking up enough runs to upset their hosts.
Betolimp Best Bets
Top Pakistan 1st Innings Batsman – Asad Shafiq @ 7.70
Never a consistent run scorer in the long-run Shafiq is however an experienced fighter who does have a couple of centuries to his name in England. Azar Ali has that front foot issue which Broad will surely target and Babar’s stroke play could prove to his own detriment against a swinging ball early doors.
Top England 1st Innings Batsman – Ollie Pope @ 7.70
I went for Pope in the first test against the Windies as well and he waited until the final test to come good. With Stokes again likely to be on light duty with the ball I see Pope remaining at no 5 and thus being in a great position to get to the crease early, yet not too early so as to be exposed to the new ball.
Top England 1st Innings Bowler – Stuart Broad @ 4.10
Given his current form there is no way you can leave Broad out of your staking plan at present.
Series Bet: England to win the series 3-0 @ 2.87
Pakistan could find it tough competing with a team that his battle hardened. England also have the advantage of being able to rejuvenate their attack at any moment given their strength in depth.
BET HERE ON ENGLAND v PAKISTAN
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Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
Couch Critic
