Australia v Pakistan 1st Test betting picks & top cricket odds

Australia v Pakistan match preview

The summer of Test cricket begins on Thursday at Optus Stadium in Perth with Australia hosting Pakistan for their first tour down under since 2019.

Australia are expected to make at least one change to their starting XI and welcome back veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon in place of Todd Murphy, while a decision is yet to be made on whether Cameron Green or Mitch Marsh will fill the all-rounder slot in the middle order.

Pakistan opener Shan Masood has been named as the new captain of the Test side, taking over from Babar Azam. Fast bowler Naseem Shah has not travelled for the tour due to injury and his replacement is yet to be named.

Australia v Pakistan betting predictions

The strength and balance of Australia’s line-up make them incredibly difficult to beat on home soil — particularly in Perth, where they have won almost 60 per cent of their matches, while they are yet to be beaten in Optus Stadium. Backing Australia to win at -344.83 with Nags.bet is the safest bet.

In eight Tests against Pakistan, opener Usman Khawaja has amassed 992 runs at an average of 99 with a highest score of 160. That high score came in the most recent series between these two nations in Pakistan, where Khawaja was named player of the series. His form in domestic cricket for Queensland has been outstanding, making Khawaja a great value bet to be Australia’s top runscorer in the first innings (+400).

Incoming skipper Shan Masood has played Australia in just two Tests, and with an average of 39 from matches in Brisbane and Adelaide, he has the technique to handle the conditions. The 34-year-old also appears to have brought his best form to Australia, which was evidenced in his 201 not out against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra. Expect Masood to continue improving with the added leadership of the side and lead the run-scoring for Pakistan in the first innings (+400).

Pat Cummins has played five Tests against Pakistan, managing to take 20 wickets with a best bowling innings of 5/56. Swinging the ball through the air in Perth can be difficult; however, the fast, bouncy wicket being prepared suits Cummins as a bowler who can make the ball move off the surface. The Australian skipper is a great value bet to be his side’s leading wicket-taker in the first innings (+225).

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