We enter the second half of the Asia Cup on Monday and for Pakistan the stakes could not be higher. With India and Bangladesh already having two wins to their names Pakistan know if they lose to UAE it is game over as far as their chances of winning the tournament are concerned.
UAE know their tournament will end in two matches time but they still have the chance to take a really big scalp with them before they leave and for an associate side that will be all the incentive that they need to remain competitive.
Pakistan have only played one match in this tournament but they made a right pig’s ear of it. They were skittled out for 80 odd and while they took five Indian wickets in the run chase they need to ensure they play the conditions better here and not take the Associate side lightly.
I would imagine Pakistan will look to bolster their batting line up for this match given their shambles in that discipline against India. Imad Wasim could come into the side, especially if the wicket looks like it might spin, which I would imagine it will.
UAE have bowled really well in this tournament so far but when their scores have only been 82 and 115/9 they don’t need to look too hard at where they need to improve going forward after this tournament.
I’m not sure UAE have many more batting options. If they don’t think I would expect them to rejig the line up to make something happen. They don’t need to alter anything with the ball. It could be time for the captain Amjad Javed to go up the order and lead from the front.
It looks like the wickets are starting to take a bit of turn now and I don’t think that is a surprise. Dhaka is hosting a lot of cricket in this tournament and the wickets are going to tire and get slower and lower so I’m not expecting a high scoring game here particularly as both are better with the ball than the bat.
Pakistan are warm favourites and I would expect them to win this and they should in theory win it comfortably but I can’t be backing a side who’ve just been run out for very few either on the match betting or a handicap so I’ll look elsewhere for my interest here.
Although the bet lost on Sunday I’m going with the highest individual score punt again and I’m taking under 55 again. Both UAE matches have been low scoring. They don’t have anyone who looks like scoring 55 at the minute but they’ve shown they can deny opponents doing it.
I don’t see UAE scoring many against the class of this Pakistan bowling attack but Pakistan have just been skittled for less than 100 so their confidence can’t be high either. There’s a significant chance the highest score in this match stays below 55.
I’ll also have a dabble on the top UAE bowler market where Mohammad Naveed has taken two wickets in both matches so far and has impressed everyone with his control and his line and length.
If he bags a couple of wickets again here then he would have every chance of being the UAE’s top bowler. He bowls at the start of the innings and the death so there is a good chance of him being in the wickets again here.
Back Highest Individual Score – Under 55 runs for a 3/10 stake at 2.75 with Stan James
Back M.Naveed Top UAE Bowler for a 2/10 stake at 4.25 with Unibet
Back him here:
