Adrian Mills’ best bets for this T20 clash between rivals include big performances from Jasprit Bumrah and Shadab Khan.
India versus Pakistan on the international cricket stage is as big a fixture as it comes for those two nations, but this one has even more riding on it than usual.
The two great cricket rivals meet with India off to a flier after beating Ireland in their T20 World Cup opener, but Pakistan with their backs against the wall following a shock loss to tournament co-hosts United States.
Babar Azam’s men desperately need to win while the Indians would love nothing more than to consign their neighbours to the brink of an early exit.
Selections
Jasprit Bumrah to take 2+ wickets
10/11
Shadab Khan top Pakistan batter
10/1
Pakistan fall of first wicket – under 24.5
17/20
Bumrah a banker to land an Indian double
India are 4/9 to beat their bitter rivals Pakistan in New York, a price which may seem short in a 20-over thrash, but one that is hard to contest.
India have come into the tournament among the favourites and started well against Ireland, winning by eight wickets on this ground.
Pakistan have yet to play on this questionable pitch and are already up against it after being stunned by the US in their opener. Their warm-up tour of Ireland and England wasn’t a success either, they don’t know their best team and they look hugely vulnerable.
A potentially dodgy track might be a blessing rather than a curse – on a level playing field you’d surely fancy the Indians.
They can take quick wickets on here, especially with someone like star left-armer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who could be a real handful.
But if he is going to enjoy conditions, then so too is Jasprit Bumrah who looks a cracking bet to take at least two wickets, something he did against Ireland.
Shadab can come good in top-scorer stakes
Shadab Khan looks a big price at 10/1 to be top Pakistan runscorer against the Indians.
Shadab made a brisk 40 off 25 balls in his side’s opening loss to United States, coming to the crease after just 4.4 overs courtesy of Pakistan’s dreadful start.
If the wicket in New York misbehaves as much as it has done over the first few days of action – and there is no reason to think it is somehow suddenly going to become a shirtfront – then Shadab will be early once again batting at five.
And 10/1, when he may not need too many runs to cop, looks a big price for a player with a 140 strike-rate and lots of experience.
Openers up against it on iffy track
The wickets at the Nassau Stadium are clearly not the best, with pacemen getting all sorts of help from the new white ball.
In the first two games at New York over the first couple of days of the tournament, the first wicket has fallen at 7, 22, 13 and 10.
Pakistan’s first wicket is in for 24.5 runs which looks high enough. On a decent surface in Dallas against the Americans Pakistan had lost two wickets with 14 runs on the board, so against Bumrah and co on a minefield does not augur well for a sizeable opening stand.
Visit Betway’s cricket betting page.
