What will happen when two of the game’s most volatile teams meet on the biggest stage?
What will happen when two of the game’s most volatile teams meet on the biggest stage?
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Pakistan | +100 at Bet365 | Place Bet |
West Indies | -125 at Bet365 | Place Bet |
Two of the game’s great enigmas go head-to-head in Nottingham on the second day of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Pakistan won this event way back in 1992 and came close again when it was last held in the UK in 1999, but it is now a decade since their last appearance in the final.
If their preparation is any indicator, there is little chance that Sarfaraz Ahmed’s men will rectify that situation this summer.
Fresh off a 4-0 series defeat to England earlier this month, Pakistan’s only warm-up game resulted in a three-wicket loss to lowly Afghanistan.
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No wonder Bet365.com has them at +1800 odds for the title, one rung below the West Indies at +1600.
Despite some mixed results in their recent ODI and T20 outings, some observers are touting the Windies as the most dangerous team in the tournament.
There was evidence of that in the recent warm-up clash with New Zealand, where Jason Holder and his charges clobbered 421 off 49.2 overs to win by 91 runs.
The West Indies have not reached the Cricket World Cup final since 1983, although they have won two of the last three ICC World T20 titles.
Babar Azam – +300 at Bet365
It is impossible to ignore this man’s form. With two hundreds and an 80 in his last three hits, Babar needs to spend a lot of time at the crease over the next few weeks if Pakistan are to have any kind of shot at the title.
Shai Hope – +300 at Bet365
The Windies bat as deep as any team in the competition, so picking one out of the pack is no mean feat. Hope has only two scores under 50 in his last seven innings and offers a fraction more value than his opening partner, Chris Gayle (+275).
Imad Wasim – +400 at Bet365
While it is tempting to turn to the pace of Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali and Wahab Riaz, it is the left-arm spin of Imad that caused the most damage for Pakistan in recent times. His awkward angles could pose a problem for the West Indies’ left-handed hitters.
Shannon Gabriel – +333 at Bet365
Gabriel delivered some good numbers in the recent tri-series with Bangladesh and Ireland, picking up eight wickets in four games. The big question is whether or not he is selected, as Sheldon Cottrell, Kemar Roach and Oshane Thomas were preferred for the warm-up matches.
These are two of the least dependable teams in world cricket, so bet on this game at your own risk.
However, there is an opportunity for the Pakistan selectors to show a bit of nous.
The West Indies batting order is loaded with left-handers, who often find left-arm bowlers a little harder to get away.
If Pakistan go with the likes of Amir, Wahab and Imad, they might cramp the Windies at the crease and take away their biggest weapons.
Other than that, it’s a coin flip.
Pakistan to win – +100 at Bet365