Twenty20 World Cup Betting: Bangladesh v Pakistan

Twenty20 / Andrew Hughes / 29 April 2010 / 2

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Shahid Afridi is Pakistan's latest captain

"Pakistan for once appear to be focused on the job in hand. Shahid Afridi looks an inspirational leader and they have Bangladesh outgunned in every department"

Pakistan have endured a typically nightmarish year since they lifted this trophy, but have a chance to redeem themselves in the Caribbean. Andrew Hughes previews Saturday's second game in St Lucia.

Venue and conditions

We can expect the pitch at the Beausejour Stadium to conform to the recent Caribbean trend for dry, slow spin-friendly wickets. There is also a possibility of meteorological intervention with thunder showers common in St Lucia at this time of year.

Team News

Tamim Iqbal has aggravated an old hand injury and is a doubt for Bangladesh. Mashrafe Mortaza will spearhead their attack, but it remains to be seen whether the Tigers pick their other quick Rubel Hossain or pack their bowling attack with spinners.

Pakistan have to decide exactly where Shahid Afridi will bat, but aside from that, the team is fairly settled. The absence of Umer Gul reduces their bowling options but I'd expect Abdul Razzaq could get the nod ahead of fellow seamer Mohammed Sami.

Match Odds

Bangladesh have enough talent to cause a shock and Pakistan are notorious slow starters, so a surprise could be on the cards. However, if anything, the pressure is on Bangladesh to start turning occasional glory into consistent success and the Tigers have also played very little Twenty20 cricket in recent months.

Pakistan for once appear to be focused on the job in hand. Shahid Afridi looks an inspirational leader and they have Bangladesh outgunned in every department, including spin-bowling, likely to be a significant factor on this pitch. If the defending champions are to be beaten, it won't be on Saturday and odds of [1.29] about a Pakistan win are about right.

Top Batsman

Mohammed Ashraful is the most talented of the Bangladeshis but is on a long run of poor form and at longer odds, I prefer talented youngster Mushfiqur Rahim who impressed against India earlier this year and should be available at [9.0] or so.

Shahid Afridi will be all the rage for Pakistan, but with doubts over where he might figure in the order, it's worth looking elsewhere. The impressive Umar Akmal looks a classier batsman than his older brother and should be backed at [5.5] or better.

Featured Market

Kamran Akmal and Salman Butt have proven particularly prone to throwing their wickets away and it is worth siding with Bangladesh at [2.2] in the Opening Partnership market.

Trivia

Pakistan have won 73% of their Twenty20 matches, a higher percentage than any other country.

Andrew Hughes says: Back Umar Akmal to top score for Pakistan at [5.5]

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sam o | 02 May 2010

No offence, but Umar Akmal is a terrible bet at $5.50 as he bats 7th in the order and the top scorer is likely to be one of the 3 opening batsman
Andrew Hughes | 02 May 2010

No offence taken, Sam and thanks for commenting.

I have to disagree with you though on Umar's batting position. In the two games in Dubai in February, he batted at 3 and 4 and in today's game against Australia, he was in at 4 again. He has come on a lot in recent months and with Younus and Yousuf out the picture, is likely to be given a lot of batting responsibility in future.

Given that his brother is not the most solid of openers, I think Umar will get plenty of time at the crease if he continues at three or four.