Pakistan vs Bangladesh Preview & Prediction | 1st Test
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have lost their last three Test matches, which underlines the need in this series for both nations to get off to a positive start in Rawalpindi.
DATE/TIME: Wednesday 21st August 2024 - UK – 2:00am / India – 6:30am / Tuesday 20th August 2024 - US EST – 9:00pm / US PST – 6:00pm
VENUE: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
WEATHER: Dry, with sunshine and extremely hot conditions across the five days as temperatures comfortably exceed 30c.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TBA / India– Not Televised / US – Willow TV / Pakistan - A Sports & Ten Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – TBA / India – Not Streamed / US – Willow TV / Pakistan - Ten Sports website
PAKISTAN FORM: FIRST RED BALL ACTION SINCE AUSTRALIA THRASHING
Pakistan’s last taste of Test cricket came back in the Australian season, as they were swept 3-0 by Pat Cummins’ side. They’ll expect better at home against an opponent of significantly less quality than Australia, but taking 20 wickets on a Rawalpindi pitch won’t be east.
LAST FIVE: LLLWW
BANGLADESH FORM: TIGERS NEED TO BOUNCE BACK FOLLOWING SRI LANKAN SWEEP
Bangladesh are also coming off the back of three consecutive Test defeats, having lost twice against Sri Lanka and once vs New Zealand after having secured a famous win away to the Black Caps prior to that defeat. What that result did at least show is that the Tigers are not to be underestimated.
LAST FIVE: LLLWW
PAKISTAN BETTING ANALYSIS
When taking into account the usual batting paradise that is Rawalpindi, the smart move here from a betting perspective would be to invest in Pakistan’s batters to score a high volume of runs. Babar Azam is one such player who has a point to prove in Test match cricket and will be desperate for at least one big score across this first Test. Consider backing Babar to record over 89.5 match runs.
Another batter capable of a long stay at the crease is captain Shan Masood. Masood’s patient and elegant style of play could wind up being very difficult for the Bangladesh bowlers to get on top of and he has enjoyed plenty of red ball cricket across the past few months, having played for Yorkshire in the County Championship. Backing Masood to finish the first Test as Pakistan’s top batter may well be worth a small stake.
BANGLADESH BETTING ANALYSIS
Like Pakistan, Bangladesh will need to make the most of the expected conditions, by batting well and batting long against what is likely to be an all-pace attack. Najmul Hossain Shanto has the game to succeed in Rawalpindi and the Tigers will no doubt be looking to their skipper for a significant contribution. With that in mind, explore backing Shanto via the ‘Batter to Score a Fifty in 1st Innings’ market to score a half-century in Bangladesh’s first dig.
From a bowling perspective though, Shakib Al Hasan could be afforded some joy if selected, as he offers a left-arm spin option. Such a point of difference can prove very important on a flat pitch and potentially cause a mistake from whichever Pakistan batter he is facing. Therefore, a play on Shakib to take over 3.5 match wickets could be a shrewd move.
PAKISTAN VS BANGLADESH EXPERT PREDICTION
Finding a winner in this first Test will be very difficult when considering the hot conditions in Pakistan and the likelihood of a flat pitch that offers precious little assistance to the bowlers. Batters should be licking their lips at the prospect of playing in Rawalpindi and bettors should focus on this rather than the result itself.
The best batter on show across the two teams needs to demonstrate his class in a match like this, that being Babar Azam. It would be no surprise to see the Pakistan star do just that against the Tigers, so back him to pass fifty at least once.
PAKISTAN VS BANGLADESH TIP: BABAR AZAM TO SCORE A FIFTY IN THE MATCH
