PAKISTAN v AUSTRALIA: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews the 1st Test on Friday between Pakistan v Australia with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The eyes of the cricketing world will turn to Rawalpindi in the early hours of Friday morning as Australia begin their historic tour of Pakistan. On Thursday, it will be 13 years since the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus near the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan had to move their International schedule to the UAE for a number of years, but Australia haven’t toured Pakistan in much longer – it’s been over 23 years! Cricketing nations are slowly returning now. Sri Lanka came back in 2019, Bangladesh in 2020 but as always it takes the bigger sides longer to do these things. South Africa toured last year, and that has relaxed the bigger sides now. This will be a long tour for Australia, and fingers crossed everything goes well and the cricket is enjoyable to watch.
We have a very open market on BETDAQ Betting Exchange heading into the 1st Test. Pakistan are marginal favourites but I’m sure there’s lots of punters who don’t know what to expect. Australia are coming off an impressive win in the Ashes, but England performed very poorly and since then they’ve lost their coach – seemingly the players are pleased with this though and Langer was “too intense.” The Australian captain Pat Cummins says his side feels incredibly safe in Pakistan, and there will be no excuses in that department. This is going to be a very hard fought battle and should make for excellent Test cricket. Australia have a very strong side arriving here, but you have to wonder will conditions suit them?
If I was Pakistan and had home advantage, I’d definitely be asking the groundsmen for a slow and low wicket. I would try to take away the danger of the Australian quick bowlers and that should give Pakistan a massive edge. South Africa weren’t able to cope with conditions here last year, but they aren’t as good as they once were. Pakistan do have some injury issues with Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf ruled out of the 1st Test, and that might tip the balance towards Australia. Whatever happens we’re all set for a truly historic Test match.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
When Pakistan beat South Africa here last year, Hasan Ali took ten wickets in the match. Losing him is a massive blow, and Pakistan will have to be at their best to replace his bowling. The new ball played a huge part in that game, and taking wickets with the new ball will be absolutely key here – you have to feel Australia will need to strike early. Given the limited cricket in Pakistan over the last while, I would 100% go into this game with an open mind on the wicket. It’s Test cricket, there’s no rush. If I was Pakistan I would offer a slow and low pitch, but then the new ball played such a key part of the South African game we might see Australia run through this Pakistan side with a quick start. I wouldn’t have a strong opinion on what to do at the toss – it will be interesting to hear what the captains say afterward the toss to get an idea what to expect when play starts.
RECOMMENDED BET:
I’m delighted this is a three Test series and not a two Test series – it really gives us a better chance of a result and more intense cricket. I don’t doubt we’ll have some incredible days of cricket on this tour. However, I feel to start the tour Australia are the value here at 2.7. I completely understand why Pakistan are marginal favourites, but I feel the loss of Hasan Ali is big along with Faheem Ashraf will tip the scales in Australia’s favour. Both are expected to return for the 2nd Test so things might look very different then, but this seems an ideal chance for Australia to start strong. I know adjusting to conditions will be a challenge for them, but they have the squad to do it. They can start on the winning note.
The Edge Says:
Two points win Australia to beat Pakistan at 2.7 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
View the market here -> https://bit.ly/BDQPakAus
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
The draw is going to start around 3.75 to 4.0 and you have to feel it will be hanging around for a while. We saw a collapse to the new ball from South Africa here last year, but that was the second new ball. I’m going into this game with a fully open mind about conditions – this is a long tour and I want to see how the sides perform and what conditions are playing like before getting involved. It’s hard to see a Test that’s over very quickly here – I think it will go the full five days and most of the trading will focus on the draw to be honest – although I feel we will get a result in the end.
If conditions aren’t too low and slow, I feel the Australian bowlers will have some very good success against this Pakistan side. There has to be something there for them though, which is why I’m keen to see what the wicket is playing like. Hasan Ali injured is a big blow for Pakistan, and if Australia see off the new ball then they can score big here – I’d be very happy to support them once they get through the new ball spells. A fascinating Test match ahead!
