T20 WORLD CUP: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Monday’s T20 World Cup match between huge clash between AFGHANISTAN v SCOTLAND with a recommended BETDAQ bet.

MATCH OVERVIEW:

The T20 World Cup moves back to Sharjah to start a new week as Afghanistan meet Scotland. Although this might not be the most glamorous of games in this World Cup, Scotland come into the game having won their three qualifying games and must be full of confidence. We could see some big swings in-play on BETDAQ Betting Exchange. The big thing about Scotland too is they have nothing to lose – they can just attack here as they aren’t expected to get through.

For Afghanistan, things are different. They have to win this game. Anything other than a win would be a disaster. They have been given a chance to get to the Semi-Finals because they got the easy group. There’s no question that Group 2 with Scotland, India, Namibia, Pakistan, New Zealand and Afghanistan is the easier group and Afghanistan will feel they only have to beat Pakistan and results might go their way to get through. For that to happen, they need to win their games against the small nations in this group – Scotland and Namibia.

So, the pressure is all on Afghanistan. They come into the tournament with a lot of issues too. Even leaving aside what has been happening with their home country at the moment which must be so difficult to deal with, their players are always fighting with the board over selection issues. They have so much talent, but are they a happy camp? Scotland will give this a real go, I’m interested to see how close they can get!

WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

Batting at Sharjah has proven to be very tough. In the IPL here the scoring was low, the pitch was slow and low – I felt we might see fresh wickets for the World Cup but judging by the games so far I don’t think that will be the case. Conditions will definitely play into Afghanistan’s hands but when batting is so tough it can be a real leveller too. If Scotland can bowl first I would give them a much bigger chances – there definitely seems to be an edge bowling first. If I won the toss, there would be no question what I would do.

RECOMMENDED BET:

I’m happy to stay with low stakes for the moment, although as we move deeper into the tournament we should find some cracking value bets. I feel Scotland offer small value here at 3.75. I know Afghanistan are the better side, have quality batsmen and the better spin attack. However, conditions at Sharjah are so difficult that I feel it might bring the sides closer together. If Scotland can bowl first, they might only be chasing 140 and you only need one or two players to play a good knock then. Look, Afghanistan will probably outclass Scotland but all the pressure is on them and Scotland can perform very well here.

The Edge Says:
One point win Scotland to beat Afghanistan at 3.75 with BETDAQ Betting Exchange

View the market here -> https://bit.ly/BDQAfgSco

IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

Given the conditions in Sharjah, there’s a couple of in-running strategies to look at here. First, check a lot for dew. That will have a massive impact on the bowlers – if there’s dew I would reduce stakes, but mainly you want to be looking for trades on the bowling side here. Over the last month in the IPL, and in the Ireland v Namibia game on Friday, bowling first has definitely offer an edge – I would look to get on the team bowling first – especially after the first six overs are bowled. You want to support the spinners here, and chasing seems a lot easier when there’s always an option for a big six with the short boundaries.