THE EDGE: The Edge previews the 3rd Test between PAKISTAN v ENGLAND with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
MATCH OVERVIEW:
Pakistan and England move to Rawalpindi for a series decider on Thursday! So far this Test series has pretty much had everything on BETDAQ Betting Exchange with plenty of drama, twists and turns at every moment – along with new records too! After England set record breaking runs to win the 1st Test when a draw looked certain, Pakistan gambled and used the same wicket for the 2nd Test. That brought a lot more spin and more subcontinent conditions which lead Pakistan to a victory to level the series. Obviously winning the toss and getting to bat first was a big advantage, but it sets up an excellent Test to enjoy here.
Given England were so good on a flat wicket and Pakistan so much more effective on a wicket with turn in it, it would be a surprise if Pakistan didn’t ask for a spinning wicket here. I did mention the fact that coming into this series the Pakistan board had a huge issue with venues – some tour operators even cancelled their tours from the UK over the delay in plans – that could have meant that the wicket for the 1st Test was underprepared. Usually in the subcontinent, that means a very flat wicket or one that turns square – we got the very flat one! I would be shocked if Pakistan didn’t try to tilt conditions in their favour here, so England will face another trial by spin.
England should have done better with the bat in the 2nd Test. That had an excellent start, and the mid-to-low order didn’t follow up. Ben Stokes didn’t have a successful comeback, especially going so soon after Harry Brook too. The openers then had a shocked in the second innings. We all know Pakistan can have their off days with the bat too, and a fascinating deciding Test awaits.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Rawalpindi has been a popular Test venue since International cricket was able to return to Pakistan. We’ve actually had seven Tests here since 2019. Two of those seven Tests ended in a draw, but England won here in 2022. We saw some very high scores in the first innings of that game – England scored 657 and Pakistan 579 before it got a lot more difficult to bat. Bangladesh shocked Pakistan twice here this year which was a proper shock! As I said above, I would be surprised if Pakistan haven’t asked for a spinning wicket here after the 2nd Test, and a draw would be a big surprise with the wicket being very tricky from day three onwards.
RECOMMENDED BET:
We saw a lot of movement in the market leading into the 2nd Test when the Pakistan Cricket Board made the announcement of what wicket they were using. Prior to that, the draw was fancied but it went out to 6.0+. It’s trading a similar price here at 5.6, and to be honest I’d be very surprised if we saw a draw here; it could trade shorter while the side who bats first goes well, but as an outright bet I just don’t see it. I see this as a straight shootout between the two sides, and although England are a superb side with a lot of talent, I really feel the conditions will suit Pakistan here. They have had a very challenging year, and a Test series win against England can change all that – they are worth backing at 2.72 on a wicket that will be created to suit them.
The Edge Says:
Two points win Pakistan to beat England at 2.72 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/3PakEng
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
Although I do feel we’ll see a very spin friendly wicket here, it’s a shrewd play to give yourself a few overs to get conditions right. If we don’t see some early turn, we have had some big first inning scores here in the past so I would be happy to support the batting side in that situation – I would be a little careful with that however if we do see spin early. To be honest, whatever way the wicket is I do feel the side who bats first will have an edge here – if it’s a good wicket they can put runs on the board and then if it’s a spinning wicket, batting last late in the game will be a nightmare. I do feel this Test will favour the bowlers as Pakistan prepare a very spin friendly wicket, and the only time I’d be interested in supporting the batting side will be the first innings. No doubt we’ll see plenty of twists and turns again!
