Pakistan Vs England - 2nd Test Preview

Dubai 22-26th October 2015 

 After what developed into an excellent Test match between these two sides at Abu Dhabi, despite the lifeless pitch, we now move on to Dubai, where pitches have in the past proved to be much more lively. If not huge entertaining for the most part, the first Test has given an indication as to how the two sides will approach the series.

Pakistan, as brilliant as they can be, are also capable of some terrific batting collapses. Given that they had been in the field for two and a half days before their second innings, the subsequent capitulation could be forgiven, but is certainly worth noting from a trading point of view, particularly with Younis and Misbah both being the wrong side of 35. England were a big surprise for me, and I was impressed with their attitude in the first innings, particularly from Cook, applying themselves diligently to build a first innings lead. This is in stark contrast to the touring sides in the UAE last winter, both of whom struggled when batting second.

 With Pakistan set to welcome Yasir Shah back into their squad, I would expect him to provide the cutting edge that their bowling attack lacked in the previous Test, and a more helpful surface should provide their seamers with more to work with. This England batting line up have never faced a quality leg spinner, and so Shah should ask some serious questions of them. England, on the other hand, are set to be unchanged, with Ben Stokes back in training after an injury scare. Adil Rasheed's five-for in the second innings will boost his confidence after what was a bit of a flogging in the first, but he could struggle against a fresher Pakistan attack who will be less willing to throw their wickets away than they were on the fifth day in Abu Dhabi.

Overall then, we have two fairly evenly matched sides playing on a ground that has produced just two draws since 2010. In terms of taking a position before a ball is bowled, similarly to the first Test, a lay of the draw at 3.5 looks the pick of the Match Odds, with little value about Pakistan at 2.42 and England at 3.25. As with the last Test, we will hopefully see the draw trading a lot lower in play, and I will be looking to oppose at short prices as the Test progresses. The toss will be important here, as ever in the subcontinent, as the side batting first will have the best of the conditions both with the bat early on and with the ball in the fourth innings. With this in mind, backing Shoaib Malik at 5.5 for top Pakistan batsman should they win the toss looks nice. I liked the look of Imran Kahn with the ball as well, and if it starts to reverse I think he could cause some serious problems for the England batsman, so the 6s on him to be top Pakistan bowler looks good. A quick look at the England top batsman market, and Moeen Ali at 7.5 looks very generous from Paddy Power, as does the 6.5 on Ian Bell. Both are struggling for form slightly, but will not get a better chance to rectify that in batting friendly conditions, and both are excellent player of spin, which they will likely face plenty of.

 All in all, this Test should be excellent to trade, with both side capable of the sublime and the ridiculous, and conditions looking to provide more of a contest between bat and ball that previously, with this in mind I'll be looking to be active in the Match Odds market, and will try to tweet anything I see as value during the match.