PAKISTAN v SOUTH AFRICA: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Thursday’s 2nd Test between Pakistan v South Africa with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
MATCH OVERVIEW:
After Pakistan impressively won the 1st Test in Karachi, we move to Rawalpindi as the hosts have a chance to claim a famous series win. It’s been a long time since the major sides toured here and a series win would really give Pakistan a huge boost. I’m sure it’s fantastic for them to enjoy their home conditions; although it must be said for South Africa they need to fix their issues in the subcontinent. They’ve lost eight Tests there in a row now.
South Africa will hope that the wicket in Rawalpindi suits them more, as historically it has suited seamers more than spinners. It’s been so long since we’ve had major International cricket in Pakistan however, I’m not sure that we can view wickets with a certain view that they will suit seamers or spinners. It also have to be said that Misbah ul Haq has requested a drier surface that should aid spinners, and with a series win on offer it’s unlikely the local groundsmen go against his wishes.
Pakistan were well on top in the 1st Test, and when you look at their South African order it’s hard to see where the runs are going to come from. Dean Elgar and Faf du Plessis really need to put their hands up and get the big scores the side needs. We saw Joe Root lead England to wins in Sri Lanka recently, and that’s the type of innings South Africa need if they’re going to save the series.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Obviously we have a huge break in International cricket here between 2004 and 2019 given the lack of International cricket in Pakistan. As I said above, usually the wicket has favoured seamers over spinners but Pakistan have requested a drier surface. We had two Tests here recently however; Sri Lanka drew in December 2019 when we suffered from rain so we only saw one innings each. That was Sri Lanka’s first Test on their tour and the stadium was a sell-out – how times have changed since! In February 2020, Bangladesh played a Test here and were bowled out for 233 and 168, while Pakistan won by an innings and 44 runs. Once again I think we’ll see South Africa struggle with conditions, scoring between 230 and 270 while Pakistan score in or around 350.
RECOMMENDED BET:
I thought South Africa would struggle with conditions on this tour and I didn’t see anything to change my mind in the 1st Test. We landed a very nice bet with Pakistan then, and we can land another one here. I feel the market hasn’t moved in enough and Pakistan still offer a lot of value at 1.91. South Africa just don’t have the batters for these conditions and their bowlers aren’t strong enough. I’d expect Pakistan to get the pitch they have asked for and a very similar Test to last week. South Africa have lost their last eight subcontinent Tests, and this will make it nine.
The Edge Says:
Three points win Pakistan to beat South Africa at 1.91 on BETDAQ Betting Exchange.
View the market here -> http://bit.ly/BDQpaksa
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
Usually I think you would bowl here if you won the toss, but if we believe the press and the pitch Pakistan have asked for, I would opt to bat. If Pakistan bat first, we might not see too many swings in-running on BETDAQ Betting Exchange. as it’s likely they put up a decent score and take a first innings lead. If South Africa bat first, I think we’ll see the draw drift a lot as they fail to score 300. I just don’t see anyone playing the long innings that they need.
Quinton de Kock looks out of form and short on confidence – perhaps South Africa don’t even know where to put him in the order. The only mid-to-low order player I would support in Bavuma who looks handy with the bat and played OK in the second innings of the 1st Test. It’s hard to see a draw without bad weather, but at an SP of 5.8 perhaps we will get some trading action – however with the pitch requested it’s likely to be tough to bat, so this looks a straight shootout between Pakistan and South Africa – I wouldn’t leave any green on the draw when trading.
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