Cricket World Cup Preview – June 29th, 2019
Pakistan are on the hunt for a top four finish in the table at the Cricket World Cup. They have been entertainingly unpredictable, but they are in the mixer nonetheless. If they can win their final two matches, starting with this one, then they will be in with a big chance. Afghanistan are in danger of heading home without a single point.
Pakistan v Afghanistan Winner Odds*
Pakistan 1/6
Afghanistan 4/1
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on June 27th, 2019 at 1:41 pm)
Pakistan on the charge
With three wins, three defeats and one washed out game, it has certainly been a mixed bag from Pakistan at this World Cup. In midweek they took a notable win over New Zealand though. That was the one which really kept their hopes of qualification for the knockout stages alive. Considering that they are only facing Afghanistan and then Bangladesh in their final game, finishing the round robin stage on a high is a big probability. They head into this one on the back of two wins over South Africa and then New Zealand.
Pakistan took a six wicket win over New Zealand at Edgbaston. That was New Zealand’s first loss at the tournament. So where did that win come from for Pakistan? Well, they were helped out by the slower, spinning pitch without question. It took a lot away from the bowling attack of New Zealand and that helped Pakistan get a massive two points. They will be expected to pick up another two here. It’s probably worth a look at the players at the top of the oder in the Top Paksitan batsman market where Fakhar Zaman is the 10/3 joint favourite with Imam ul Haq.
Head to head
There have been three previous games between the two nations. Pakistan have won them all.
Afghanistan
If that’s all been too much for Afghanistan at the World Cup. They will have one game to go after this and that will be against the West Indies. They may target that as a chance to finish on a high. Afghanistan have not managed to get a point on the board in his campaign. Their last match was against Bangladesh, who won it by 62 runs. Afghanistan were chasing a total of 263 which they never looked likely to get to. They just looked as if they were trying to bat out their overs, happy just to stick around at the crease and get some playing time. They were bowled out regardless with three overs to go.
Predictions
This is easily a winnable match for Pakistan. It is a superb chance to keep their momentum rolling along. The win over New Zealand will have really put some wind in their sails and they can cruise in this one. They’ll likely bat first if they win the toss and back a hundred to be scored at 4/5 odds* (betting odds taken from bet365 on June 27th, 2019 at 1:41 pm)
