This column has made a decent chunk of money out of Yasir Shah this year. So much, in fact, that it might be enough to fly first-class to Australia in an attempt to shake his hand in person.
That’s where our golden boy is at the moment, preparing to bamboozle Australia’s batsmen in the upcoming Test series against his team, Pakistan.
We didn’t hold out much hope of getting the opportunity to bet him once more to be top Pakistan bowler in the series. We were worried that the layers, having got a little lazy in the run-up to the festive break, would not chalk up the odds.
But chalk them up they have. And one firm, it would appear, have done so in that warm, fuzzy grip of one too many sherries after the office Christmas party.
So Stan James will be sponsoring Christmas this year. They go a crazy, bonkers put-an-extra-stocking-by-the-chimney 4.5 that Yasir takes most Australia wickets. Hell, we’ll raise a glass, too, to Betfred who have also got it wrong by going 4.3.
If you need a reminder of who Yasir is – having stumbled upon this piece and wondered if this is in fact, the result of that warm, fuzzy grip of one too many sherries after the office Christmas party – then sit back and drink it in.
Yasir is rated the ninth-best bowler in the world, 17 places ahead of third favourite Wahab Riaz, who gets a 5 quote from Betfred, Paddy Power and Coral. The favourite in the market is 3.5 (at Green Listed Bookmaker Ladbrokes and Coral) Mohammad Amir. Amir is 45 places behind Yasir. We repeat: forty-five.
Now if that doesn’t make you want to scream that Yasir represents some of the greatest value you’ll ever see, we don’t know what will. It is illogical. But why? In short, Amir is trading off a reputation of an energetic and youthful pacer with the world at his feet.
But he has the world at his feet because Yasir has it on a piece of string, and he’s just toying with the young lad like an owner might throw a kitten a roll of wool.
Let’s throw some more facts at you. In the last 12 months both Yasir and Amir have played the exact same number of games. Yasir has taken 15 more wickets. He has taken them with a superior strike rate (wickets per balls) – 66 to 74.
Unsurprisingly Yasir has copped in the last two series – against England and West Indies. Versus the Windies he took 21 wickets to Amir’s six. Seriously, how on earth do you get these two the wrong way round in the betting given the cold, hard numbers?
Layers might argue that because it’s Australia, the pitches are more likely to suit a fast bowler instead of a legspinner. We are not worried. The Brisbane Test will be under lights and spinners have consistently said that the pink ball gives them more revolutions. The venue for the third Test, Sydney, has often been a happy hunting ground for twirlers.
Besides, Yasir will be bowling to Australians who in the last few months have had meltdown after meltdown against spin bowlers. They will be terrified of him. Four of the nine top wicket-takers against Australia in the last 12 months have been spinners. Yasir will have that roll of wool out again.
Calculators
