Pakistan v England 2nd ODI: Visitors to play catchup again
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | November 12, 2015
Pakistan v England
- Second ODI
- Friday, November 13th
- Play begins: 11:00 GMT
- Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
- Live on Sky Sports 2
England must battle back
It’s the same old story for England, they have been tasked with catching up once more after a woeful batting performance in the first ODI with Pakistan which saw only captain Eoin Morgan and James Taylor post respectable scores.
They go into this second clash of the four-match series as 11/10 chances for victory with Coral, but the hosts are odds-on at 8/11 after a convincing six-wicket win in Abu Dhabi.
The two teams now battle again at the same Sheikh Zayed Stadium, and the visitors have been given an unexpected boost after it seems there is trouble in the Green camp following the sudden retirement of Younis Khan from ODIs.
Pakistan record Test scorer Khan, 37, quit just one game into the series after scoring nine last time out, and that has sparked criticism from his nation’s hierarchy.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan said: “I am disappointed at not only his decision to retire from ODIs but also the timing of his decision.
“Younis has been doing well and that is why the selectors felt he should be played again in the one-day matches. For me it is surprising he announced his retirement today.”
England can take advantage of Pakistan fallout
So, Morgan and co can really take advantage of that disharmony and the skipper is a great 7/2 shout to lead the way again after his knock of 76 and top score once for England. The Irishman is also involved in a Coral enhanced wincast, where he has odds of 17/2 to be best batsman for his team and they claim victory (max stake £20).
A number of players for the visitors will be looking to improve too, after some dreadful innings, and Joe Root in particular who was out for a rare duck. The Yorkshire star is 3/1 to be best England batsman this time around.
Taylor, who hit 60, is priced at 9/2, while flop openers Alex Hales and Jason Roy are respective 7/2 and 4/1 chances.
With the ball, it was only really seamer Reece Topley that caused any damage, as he took three wickets, and the Essex left-armer is 7/2 to be top England bowler again. Future Yorkshire teammates Adil Rashid (10/3) and David Willey (7/2), meanwhile, are decent shuts too.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Hafeez hit a terrific unbeaten hundred to help see his side claim a 1-0 series lead, and he tops his side’s batting market at 3/1, with Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad just behind at 7/2.
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Coral’s top tip: Morgan showed great spirit in the first ODI, and is a thrilling 17/2 chance to top score for England and his side win (max stake £20)
