Pakistan versus West Indies looks a tepid betting heat on the face of it. The second Test begins on Friday at Abu Dhabi. The hosts are 1.33 among Green Listed Bookmakers such as Skybet, Paddy Power and Betway. West Indies are 11 (Bet365, Stan James) and we’ve already written them off as unbackable. The draw is 5.25 (Unibet, 32 Red, 888Sport).
Pakistan won the first test. As expected. But they didn’t win in the style they were expected. And although those odds look dull, the first game saw extraordinary odds fluctuations. It looked like being a procession for Pakistan after the first two digs, but then all hell broke loose.
On the last afternoon, all three results were still possible. Bear that in mind because there could be some great in-running opportunities. For those who want to bet and let it run, the two standout wagers are below…
Market Watch I
Yasir Shah dominated West Indies in the first innings of the first Test with five wickets. Naturally, he finished as top bowler.
But he remains value at 2.75 with top rated bookmaker Unibet, for series honours of the Pakistan bowlers. That’s pretty generous considering BetVictor are as short as 2. That’s extraordinarily generous when you consider he already has seven wickets – three more than Mohammad Nawaz.
This column has already advised a bet of Yasir but for anyone who missed out, snap it up. There’s more. The leggie is 3.5 (Stan James, Betway) to finish as top bolwer in the first innings in game two. It’s a great bet.
Market Watch II
We often talk about the need for a batsman to be in form, have form against the opposition and a good record at the venue in question to win a top runscorer bet. The three planets coming into line.
With regard’s to Misbah-ul-Haq’s form at the Abu Dhabi stadium, it’s a Super Planet. Misbah has batted there 13 times in his career. And his return is mind-boggling.
He has an average of 99.77. He has 898 runs. But what is really impressive is that he has ‘failed’ in only four innings. He has notched four half-centuries and five centuries. That’s a ratio which we cannot afford to miss out on.
Do you think if the bookies had bothered to check this ratio he would be as big as 6.5 with Skybet? No. Of course not. It’s a clear edge for us. But fair play to Bet365 who go 4.5. Clearly, they have had a look at his record there.
As for the other two planets, Misbah had an unbeaten 29 and a 15 in game one. It’s nothing to write home about. But his career mark of 55 against the Windies is excellent.
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