T20 WORLD CUP: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Thursday’s T20 World Cup semi-final between AUSTRALIA v PAKISTAN with a recommended BETDAQ bet.

MATCH OVERVIEW:

It’s Semi-Final 2 on Thursday in Dubai and we have a fascinating clash between Australia and Pakistan. In the England v New Zealand Semi-Final, it was clear that England were always going to be the big favourites, while in this Semi-Final we have a much more even market on BETDAQ Betting Exchange. Pakistan are marginal favourites, and whatever way you look at this game it’s absolutely fascinating.

Pakistan come into the Semi-Finals unbeaten, after coming into the tournament surround by drama within the camp. It’s been a case of typical Pakistan, always some drama in the camp but brilliant on the field when it matters. Their bowlers have been excellent, and that has really reduced the pressure on their batting. I have to say, the jury is still out on their batting – it always is to be honest as a collapse is never far away. I’m not quite sure the Australian bowling is good enough to make Pakistan collapse in these conditions, but Australia have ran over Pakistan in Australian conditions so many times they will go into this game with high confidence.

Apart from a batting collapse, Pakistan look very impressive. Their bowling has been on fire throughout the tournament, winning the big games against India and New Zealand. They didn’t end their group with as high a net run rate as England, but they were still ultra-impressive. Australia got hammered by England, but after their win against South Africa they were always in a good place to qualify. The openers scoring some runs is a big boost for them, and I have to say it’s hard to see anything other than a close game here. This should be a cracker.

WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

The last two games here have involved Namibia and Scotland, so we can’t read too much into them. I’m assuming we’ll get a fresh wicket for this game anyway, however it’s been very hard to say what a par score here is. Australia bowled Bangladesh out for 73 but Bangladesh had a terrible tournament, and prior to that New Zealand scored 172/5 but that was against Scotland. New Zealand kept India to 110/7 and in general scoring has been pretty low here. England bowled Australia out for 125 too. I have to say, despite not really knowing what a good score is, the big advantage is in bowling first. The heavy dew that’s been coming throughout the tournament has really favoured the chasing side. In a close game, that might be the difference.

RECOMMENDED BET:

I like Pakistan here at 1.9. I respect the fact that Australia have some excellent fast bowlers and that the Pakistan collapse is always a worry, but they have been on fire this World Cup. Australia have been OK, and you’d probably say going into the Semi-Finals they looked like the weakest side. They had to work hard to beat South Africa chasing a low score, and got hammered by England. They held their nerve in the other games and perhaps this might come down to who holds their nerve better, but if it’s about pure talent then Pakistan win. As I mentioned above, the toss is going to be a big factor here which is a shame in such a big game, but you have to feel if Pakistan bowl first then Australia are in big trouble. I’m happy to keep stakes low pre-off because obviously the toss is massive.

The Edge Says:
One point win Pakistan to beat Australia at 1.9 with BETDAQ Exchange.

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

IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

I wouldn’t be in a big rush to do anything in-play here – I would want to wait and see what conditions are like. As I said above, it’s hard to know what a par score here is and the games haven’t really shed any light on that. The biggest edge will definitely be bowling first in my opinion and if you see any form of dew, the chasing side will have a massive advantage. Batting has looked pretty tough first up however, so I would be looking for trades on the bowling side after a couple of overs. I’d be keen on Pakistan’s bowling, so if they got to bowl first I’d be very confident. The Australian lower order has yet to be tested too, they collapsed against England and Australia have chased targets easily recently – I’d be keen to take on the lower order under pressure.