Pakistan and Australia get what should be an educational and enjoyable One Day International series going on Friday. They face off at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in a match scheduled to get started at 11.00am GMT. Here are our top Pakistan v Australia 1st ODI betting tips.
Both teams are looking to land an early blow and edge their noses in front; both are confident in their ability to win the series outright. Therefore, followers should enjoy a competitive encounter with plenty of talking points.
Such an even contest, certainly on paper, makes for an interesting match to bet on. Bookmakers have responded by pricing a number of markets. Backers can wager their cash on match winner or play one of the many specials, including: top Pakistan batsman and top bowler; which Australian will score most runs or take most wickets, and even the winner of the coin toss.
After the latter is decided, you’ll find many of the more popular pre-match markets available throughout the afternoon thanks to in-play betting; this ensures a punt is as interesting in the final few balls as it was before the start.
Pakistan Looking to Make an Impression
This is an important series for the hosts and will give them the chance to improve the squad and gain vital match sharpness ahead of the upcoming World Cup in England that sees them get off the mark against Afghanistan in Bristol on 24 May.
The home team remain a force in the sport but recently they haven’t enjoyed the kind of success followers have become used to over the years and it’ll be interesting to see how they shape in what will be an important year for the team. Get back on track sooner rather than later and they’ll have a chance of making an impression in England but travel to the UK on a poor run of form and fans will continue to lose interest in the team.
Pakistan were last seen in the One Day International format when losing to South Africa at the end of January, undone by seven wickets in what was a testing tour. They were well beaten that day, the final scores reading South Africa 241-3 (40.0) against the 240-8 (50.0) of Pakistan.
Hosts Won Last Time Out
They went on to lose to the same opponent over the Twenty20 style, the three-game series settled at 2-1. That score would suggest a hard-fought round. However, SA raced into a 2-0 lead, claiming the win at the earliest opportunity before, seemingly, taking their eye off the ball when knowing they couldn’t be caught. It was more heartbreak for fans, but they did cheer home the win in the third-leg.
The beaten side saved face when winning the 3rd T20 on 6 February, running out impressive victors by 27 runs. The scoreboard that day showed Pakistan 168-9 (20.0) against South Africa’s 141-9 (20.0). Bookmakers have priced the home win at 10/11, a price you’ll find available when betting with bet365. That should attract bits and pieces of attention.
Two wins in-a-row would certainly help boost confidence in the home dressing room; however, it’s not a bet that catches our attention as value looks to be thin on the ground with that one. We’ll happily take the hosts on and look elsewhere for our main interest.
Good to be Back
It has been a difficult time for followers of Australian cricket after the infamous ball-tampering scandal that saw David Warner and Steve Smith suspended which rocked the game to its very foundations. In-fighting followed, with a number of important figures at Cricket Australia stepping down in an attempt to appease fans. It failed to have the desired effect in the short-term; however, the team finally look to be moving forward. Results prove the players, coaching staff, Cricket Australia and the public appear to be pulling in the same direction again. It looked like there could be lasting damage done; however, Australia now aim to learn the lessons gained from that period and come back stronger than before.
Warner and Smith were invited back into the fold recently and the players told members of the press it felt like they had never been away. Their 12-month bans are now up and there’s no doubt the team will be stronger with their inclusion. It’s now up to the players to prove they still have the nation’s best interests at heart. They also have some making up to do to supporters and it’ll be interesting to see how they perform in their return.
It is worth noting, however, that both men will play no part in this tour as they weren’t included in the squad selected to travel. Another interesting aspect to their return is it should inspire a big performance in the players, especially those looking to hold onto their position in the squad. Warner had told the sporting press this time last year he had resigned to never playing for Australia again. This will be a second chance he’ll be desperate to grab with both hands, if called back into action.
Oz Back to their Best
Australia did win their last T20 match when beating India by seven wickets back in February; the scores returned at Australia 194-3 (19.4) against 190-4 (20.0). They then went on to claim an ODI series victory over the same opponent, nicking it by a 3-2 score, despite falling 2-0 behind. Oz looked dead and buried in that one; however, they won each of the remaining three matches to turn the result on its head and leave their opponents looking shell-shocked.
With the score standing a 2-2 heading into the decider on 13 March, it was the Aussies who held their nerve to drive themselves to victory, bagging the decider by 35 runs. That was something like the Australia of old and, when in the mood, they can never be written off. We’ll back the away win on Friday at 21/20, top price with Unibet and that should provide followers with a perfect start to the weekend.
Our Tip: Australia to win – 21/20 at Unibet
Don’t forget to check out our other top betting tips and our very best cricket betting strategies.