The latest Test series around the world begins on Wednesday when New Zealand host Pakistan in a two match series. I have to say two match series are the work of the devil but these are two good sides to watch so I can just about put up with it here.
Schedule (UK dates)
1st Test: 17-21 Nov at Christchurch
2nd Test: 25-29 Nov at Hamilton
New Zealand
It wasn’t so long ago that New Zealand were the next big things in international cricket. Under Brendon McCullum they were beating all before them and doing it quite emphatically but since he quit the international scene the Kiwis have been on a downward spiral and they head into this series off the back of a going over in India.
Automatically you would think they will be better and stronger in their own conditions and that might well be the case but their once well vaunted bowling attack is just starting to have some questions asked of it and their young batting line up is struggling for consistency as a unit.
Pakistan
Pakistan head into the series in the middle of a right old ding dong with India for the number one spot. We’ve seen Pakistan play some really good Test match cricket in recent times, both at home and away, and I’m expecting nothing less from them here. The days where they were easy foe on the road have gone it seems.
There is an argument to be made that Pakistan now have the best bowling attack in the world for all-round quality in any conditions which always makes them tough to beat. They now have a batting line up which is technically proficient enough to succeed in all conditions too whether they need to tough it out or not.
Head to Head
These two have met in 21 series through the year and the records don’t make good reading for the Kiwis. In all of that time they have only won two series and they haven’t beaten them in any series since 1985. Pakistan have won 13 series and there have been six draws so you’ve got to think the tourists will be dangerous here.
In all that time the two sides have played 53 Test matches and New Zealand have won just eight so to say their record against this country is ordinary would be overstating it somewhat.
Betting
I’m not one for going too mad in these two match series but I can’t believe the odds of this particular series. Pakistan were underestimated massively in England earlier in the year and the same thing has happened here.
I’m not saying Pakistan will win the series or anything like that but the 4/5 on them winning a Test or drawing both is just pure madness with the quality of the bowling attack they have representing them. This isn’t the New Zealand side of a year or two back. I think this one is much more vulnerable so the Pakistan-Draw double chance is too big to turn down.
It is also hard to ignore the form of Younis Khan and I’m going to have a little tickle on him to top score for Pakistan in this series. I hate going too mad as with a maximum of four knocks one big innings skews things a lot but Khan has a double ton, a ton and a fifty in his last three Tests all within the last three months and that form gives him every chance.
Tips
Back Pakistan-Draw Double Chance for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Paddy Power
Back it here:
Back Y.Khan Top Pakistan Series Batsman for a 2/10 stake at 4.50 with Unibet
Back him here:
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