Pakistan v England ODI Tips: Brainless England not to be trusted

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Sunday 25 October, 09.00
TV: Sky Sports

Pakistan v England ODI team news

Pakistan have won two from two in this tri-series but they may decide to tinker with selection as they tune up for the final spot that they have already booked.

The hosts will have spotted England's weakness against slow left-arm bowlers who move the ball away from the right hander. Shadab Khan has yet to play in the series but he could come in for a pacer. He is not a SLA but his leggies could be reckoned to be a problem for the English. Haris Rauf or Naseem Shah could miss out.

Arafat Minhas, of course, took six wickets to wreck England's batting in the first game of the series. An alternative pairing with Arafat would be trying Abrar Ahmed who spins the ball the other way.

Possible XI: Fakhar, Ayub, Babar, Baig, Salman, Hasan, Minhas, Shadab, Faheem, Afridi, rauf/Naseem,

England find themselves in a mini crisis after conceding the second-highest chase in ODI history against Sri Lanka. Harry Brook's superb double century was wasted.

There is no doubt about Brook's batting brilliance but his captaincy may be coming under examination. They were woeful in the field under pressure and Brook seemingly had no answers.

The first thing he may do is request Adil Rashid is returned to the XI. England may well have won had they not dropped their premier spinner. It was a bizarre call considering the opportunities England have had to test others in his role in recent months.

Sam Curran looks the most vulnerable to the axe. Josh tongue and Gus Atkinson are probably England's best fast bowling options.

Possible XI: Banton, Duckett, Root, Brook, Jacks, Cox, Dawson, J Overton, Rashid, Atkinson, Tongue

Pakistan v England ODI pitch report 

The series has moved on to Lahore and it could be another flat wicket with a toss bias. Overall from the 47 day-night contests 27 have been won by the team batting first. Filtering that to the last five years and it's seven from the last 12. The runs per overs in that study is 5.9 and three from six have seen both teams scoring 300.

However, there will be some concern for England that the pitch spins. There were two games in June. Australia defended 231 (Arafat and Abrar caused problems with four wickets and then six wickets went to away spinners in the chase with Matt Short of all people taking three. In a game back-to-back Pakistan chased 157 with nine wickets from 16 falling to spin.

If Pakistan have the inclination, they should really have ordered a track that takes turn. They may feel that's pointless preparation for the World Cup, however. The temptation is England unders on runs given their issues with spin

Pakistan v England ODI match prediction 

England are dreadful value at 1.728/11 on Betfair Exchange. So far in this series they've been unable to chase a moderate score. Then they have failed to defend a monster. Pakistan are 2.3211/8. There's nothing wrong with backing the hosts.

Spin could well be the deciding factor for Pakistan. It has been noticeable that twice the top bowler against England has been a SLA. That suggests an issue.

It's the nuance of the game again with a Brendon McCullum side isn't it? There is nothing wrong with England's brawn. But when it comes to using a bit of grey matter they are found wanting.

In terms of trades, it's not the worst plan to reckon England suffer again trying to defend. Pakistan would be a bigger price going after 320-350.

Pakistan v England ODI player tips 

Arafat is 9/25.50 for top Pakistan bowler. Given the issues discussed with tweak and the six he took against England in the first match, he probably deserves a bit more respect than 9/25.50 with Sportsbook for another win.

Babar Azam is coming towards the runs zone. He has tuned up nicely with score of 34 and 45 so far and a big one should be round the corner. Pairing these expecting trends with Sportsbook makes sense. You can get 11/43.75 that Babar scores 25 or more and Arafat takes two wickets or more.

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