Just as they did in the T20 series last month, Pakistan have wrapped up the ongoing ODI series with the West Indies in double quick time and on Wednesday they will be out to secure their second whitewash of the tourists in as many weeks in the third and final match in Abu Dhabi.
West Indies have yet to win a match on this tour and they will be eager to get off the mark before the three match Test series begins but it won’t be easy against a Pakistan side for whom the penny seems to have dropped in that they need to sort themselves out to get automatic qualification for the World Cup.
Pakistan
It might just be that the battering that Pakistan got in England last month was the best thing for them long term. I say that because England showed in that series how the one day game needs to be played right now and finally Pakistan look to be trying to follow suit. Their batting line up isn’t completely perfect but it is getting there.
It should be slightly easier for their batsmen to express themselves too because they have this bowling attack which is so good and can defend par totals so with little on this match I’m hoping Pakistan really entertain with the willow once again.
West Indies
If Pakistan have got their strategy sorted for this series then the West Indies certainly haven’t. They have been far too sedate at the top of their order and while that is to set a platform for the biffers in the middle order you just can’t get a bowling attack as good as this Pakistan one to get on top of you and gets away with it.
To be fair to the West Indies they have done all they can with the ball in conditions which don’t suit them at all but knowing they have to bowl sides out for small totals to make up for their shortcomings with the bat puts added pressure on their attack which it just doesn’t need.
Team News
Pakistan will definitely make one change with Mohammad Amir back home after an illness to his mother. Rahat Ali looks the most likely to come into the side. Umar Akmal has been waiting patiently for an ODI return and he might just get it here.
West Indies surely have to change Kraigg Brathwaite now if not for his own good then for the team. Evin Lewis is ready to come in and that change looks pretty obvious. It might be their only change unless they decide to rest players ahead of the Tests.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium
This will be the 31st ODI to be held on this ground and the West Indies will be pleased to know that Pakistan have a losing record here. They have 13 wins and 16 defeats in the 29 matches they have played here. Unfortunately the West Indies might be only too aware that they have lost all three matches they’ve played here.
This isn’t a high scoring ground. You have to go back to 2009 for the last time 300 was scored here and the big boundaries is very much a reason for that. The long boundaries probably don’t go with the style of the West Indies it must be said.
Betting
I’m not a bettor in dead rubbers and this one has even less appeal about it than most others with the West Indies looking disinterested even though there is a Test series to come. All known logic would suggest Pakistan will win this match and win it well but when adrenalin and competitive edge leaves the battle logic can sometimes go out of the window.
I will go with one bet though but it isn’t on the match outcome. Instead it on the runs for Babar Azam. Azam has caught fire in this series with back to back centuries and I’m not expecting that to change here. Prior to the ODI series beginning Azam made an unbeaten 27 on this ground in the final T20 so with the form he is in a line of 26.5 runs could be on the low side.
Tips
WON – Back B.Azam – Over 26.5 runs for a 3/10 stake at 1.85 with Coral
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