Pakistan v England / Ed Hawkins / 20 February 2012 /

Ed Hawkins wonders whether the tourists will give some of their fringe players a run out in Dubai on Tuesday after securing the series

Pakistan

How can a team that was so determined and dangerous in a Test series be so facile and weak in the one-day leg? Who knows? But this is Pakistan. They have been a major disappointment and it would take brave man to wager on them to avoid a whitewash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

They have, at least, started to look a more balanced unit. By handing the gloves to Adnan Akmal, and dropping Abdur Rehman, the spinner, at a stroke they righted themselves. They got a proper gloveman and lengthened their batting.

Of course, it did not work as they went down by nine wickets last time out but at least there was a semblance of determination from Pakistan. That is an improvement...just.

England

With the tourists enjoying a resurgence on this tour and an unassailable lead, it would be nice if they gave some fringe players a run out.

Jos Buttler, for example, must surely now be over the hand injury which prevented him making his much-trumpeted one-day international debut in the first ODI. Jonathan Trott, who has had a lean time of things with 23 runs in two innings, could make way.

Jonny Bairstow could get a go ahead of Craig Kieswetter, with either Buttler or the Yorkshireman taking the gloves, while Jade Dernbach and Danny Briggs, the Hampshire spinner, could replace James Anderson and Graeme Swann respectively.

Venue and conditions

Throughout the series we have been pontificating about the importance of the toss and as soon as Pakistan get the opportunity to make use of friendly bowling conditions under lights, they make us look foolish with an insipid display.

Certainly England looked untroubled under lights on Saturday as Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen put on 170 serene runs for the first wicket.

This highlighted Pakistan's weakness. Previously the Dubai wicket has looked troublesome - remember the Test matches? - and in the last five one-day matches no side has passed more than 257 batting first.

Match odds

Despite our downer on Pakistan, we have to prepare to be courageous but only if England rest some of their big names. So wait until the team news, although be prepared for the [2.08] about the hosts to take a dip. England are [1.92].

Top Pakistan batsman

Take a look at Pakistan's run charts for this series and there is a strong hint as to why they have been so disappointing. No batsman has yet passed 100 runs in three matches, although Shahid Afridi is three runs away following his oddly disciplined half-century last time. Umar Akmal is four runs behind. Both men could go off at around the [4.00] mark under Any Other. Backing Any Other in this market this series has been the only reliable aspect of Pakistan's cricket.

Top England batsman

In contrast, Cook, the England captain, has 319 runs which is almost as much as Pakistan have managed together. Can he keep going? Cook has been admirable once more in this series but it is impossible not to reckon there is one with his name on. His ropey technique convinces of that (no, we're not sure how he scores runs, either).

Cook has been given a few lives in this series and we are longing for the moment when Umar Gul or Wahab Riaz manages to shape one across him to nibble behind. It makes a lay of him for top England bat at [4.00] tempting indeed. Not to mention a lay of him not to score a 50.

Still, we will swerve such fanciful thinking and stick with Eoin Morgan for honours. He is in good form once more and has impressed on his last two outings. He is overpriced at around [6.50].

Recommended bet

Back E Morgan for top England batsman at [6.50]

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