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For the first time in over 17 years, Pakistan welcome England in a three-game Test Series. The first game takes place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium where Pakistan are undefeated in four Test matches – two wins and two draws - since international cricket returned to the country in December 2019.
Pakistan have also won the past two 'home' Test series 2-0 and 3-0 - both series taking place in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan are favoured by the bookies in the 1st Test at 5/4, which seems excellent value, with an England win priced at 9/4 and the draw at 9/4.
England's Joe Root is currently #1 ranked batsman in Test cricket, but his recent form is certainly a worry, he's scored just 46 runs in his last four innings. Prior to that he notched scores of 142 not out against a strong India bowling unit and 82 not out against New Zealand.
Ollie Pope is another to consider in the England batting lineup, he hit the most runs in two of England's last five innings. Priced at 11/1, he certainly has the technique and talent to take top honours in the Batsman market.
Babar Azam, ranked #3 in the world, is the favourite in the Top Batsman market at 10/3. He has four half- centuries and two centuries in his past 10 innings and has been the Top Pakistan batsman in four of the past nine innings. He is 1/2 to score a 50 in the match and 3/1 to score a century.
Other options for Pakistan include opener Abudullah Shafique (5/1), who has been the top Pakistan batsman in three of the past 10 innings and Imam Ul-Haq (5/1) who has earned the honour twice in his last 10 innings.
In the Top Bowler markets, James Anderson, ranked #5 in the world, tops the odds at 9/2 although the conditions may not suit the swing bowler. He has led the England bowler market in two of the last 10 innings and is also 4/5 to take five wickets in the match. Jack Leach (5/1) is England's lead spinner, he was three top bowler performances in the last 10 innings – his value may come at 5/6 to take five wickets in the match.
For Pakistan, Nassem Shah (13/2) has consistently taken wickets in his past seven innings – including a top bowler performance in the first inning of his most recent game. Again, spin may be the best option in Rawalpindi, with leg spinner Abrar Ahmed the leader in the market on debut at 5/1 backed up by fellow spinner Nauman Ali at 11/2.
The first Test gets underway on Thursday, December 1.
