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The 2nd Test between Pakistan and England gets underway in Multan on Tuesday. Host Pakistan suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of England in the opening match of the series. As a result, England (-150) goes into the 2nd Test as the betting favorite. In our latest cricket betting picks, we tell you if the bookmakers have called it right.
- What: 2nd Test (Best of three / Eng lead 1-0)
- Who: Pakistan vs. England
- Where: Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan, Pakistan
- When: Oct 15th – Oct 19th, 2024
- Time: 1.00 a.m ET
England pulled off a remarkable victory in the first Test match of the series last week in Multan.
After posting 556 in their 1st innings, Pakistan all but ensured they couldn’t lose the first Test of the three-match series.
But a remarkable batting performance from the visitors saw them score an astonishing 823/7 declared in their first innings. England posted their total in just 150 Overs at a run rate of 5.48.
Harry Brook and Joe Root led the onslaught. Brook top scored with 317. He is +300 to top score again in the 1st innings of the 2nd Test.
Also filling his boots was Joe Root. England’s best batter scored 262. During his innings, Root became England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer. To top score in the 1st innings again this week, Root is the +275 betting favorite.
The speed at which England scored the runs enabled the visitors to put the hosts back into the bat before tea on day four – an astonishing feat.
With only a draw left to play for, the Pakistan batters wilted under the pressure and were bowled out for just 220, giving England a record-breaking win by an innings and 47 runs.
The defeat for the hosts was the first time in the history of cricket that a team scored over 550 runs in their 1st innings and lost by an innings.
England lead the best-of-three series 1-0.
Pakistan vs. England 2nd Test match betting
Due to logistical issues, the same venue is being used for the 2nd Test. This is extremely rare in Test cricket.
However, as well as using the same venue, Pakistan has also opted to use the same wicket, which is a first in test history.
The hosts aren’t breaking any rules by doing this. England also knew there were logistical issues ahead of the series and the same venue was going to be used twice.
ICC rules stipulate the “best possible pitch and outfield conditions” must be used. It doesn’t say the pitch has to be fresh or unused.
So what is the significance of all this? The significance is that as a used, worn, and dry pitch, it is likely to turn from early in the match, bringing the slow spin bowlers into the game, which the hosts believe gives them an advantage.
All of a sudden after playing on a pitch that offered nothing to the bowlers, they will be playing on a result wicket. By the end of the 2nd Test, the series score will either be 2-0 to England or 1-1. The draw looks to be already off the table.
In the betting to win the 2nd Test, England is the favorite at -150. Pakistan is +225, and the draw is +400. The draw should have far longer odds in our view.
| Teams |  |  |  |
| Pakistan | +225 | +225 | +225 |
| England | -150 | -150 | -150 |
| Draw | +400 | +400 | +400 |
Series betting
After winning the 1st Test, the best cricket betting sites have slashed England’s odds to win the series. England is now -400.
A shared series is +650 and a win for Pakistan is +700. For Pakistan to win the series they will need to win the remaining two Test matches.
Against England, they will get a chance. England will play aggressively no matter what the series score. They don’t play for draws. There will be a result in every Test match and a series winner one way or the other.
Pakistan vs. England Picks and Predictions
Onto our cricket betting picks, and we have to go for another win for England.
England won’t be intimidated by a pitch that suits spin bowling. They know Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir will take wickets. They also know Joe Root can be an effective third spinner.
Furthermore, the hosts are in turmoil. Pakistan has sensationally dropped Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah.
These are three of their best players, with Babar Azam by far their best batter and also one of the top players in the world.
The decision to drop all three smacks of panic.
Pakistan has also decided to take team selection out of the hands of coach Jason Gillespie, and captain Shan Masood. This means the coach and captain are getting a playing eleven they might not want.
In the case of Gillespie, he is effectively leading the team with one arm tied behind his back. His position almost looks untenable.
England’s biggest problem looks to be not overcomplicating things.
Captain Ben Stokes looks set to come back into the team. They don’t want to over bowl Stokes on his return to the playing XI. But they might be tempted to pick a third spinner in Reham Ahmed. That would mean dropping two seam bowlers and possibly having to rely more on the bowling of Stokes.
The team balance for England looks to be their only problem heading into this match. They need to keep it simple.
And with Pakistan already looking to have hit the self-destruct button, a win for England is our betting pick.
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