The three Test series between Pakistan and Australia continues this Saturday afternoon as the teams head to Karachi for the 2nd Test. The opening game was dominated by the bat from start to finish, so we are hoping for a more competitive match this time around.
Check out our full preview and betting tips for the clash below, and remember to head to our Cricket Tips page for regular updates throughout the Aussies tour of Asia.
Pakistan vs Australia 2nd Test Betting Tips
Karachi, Saturday 12th March, 4.00pm (AEDT)
Pakistan
Predicted XI: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Axhar Ali, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi
It's hard to tell whether Pakistan will make any changes to their bowling attack leading into the 2nd Test on Saturday. They certainly won't make any changes to their top six, as they piled on over 700 runs for the loss of just four wickets throughout the 1st Test.
They went into the 1st Test with just two recognised pacemen in Nassem Shah and Shaheen Afridi, and I think that is the likely option again for them. One change they could potentially make is bringing in Mohammad Abbas for a change of pace option.
Australia
Predicted XI: Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Swepson, Josh Hazlewood
I have a feeling Australia probably regretted taking three pacemen into the 1st Test some time during the first session of play. After Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, they piled on 476 in their first innings for the loss of just four wickets. With Cam Green in the side as another pace option, I just can't understand why the Aussies still opted to play Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins. I think one of them definetely makes way for Mitch Swepson in Karachi, most likely Mitch Starc.
The Aussies will no doubt keep their top seven, which looked solid in the 1st Test albeit on a very batsmen friendly pitch. Khawaja, Warner, Labuschagne and Smith all passed 50 while Cameron Green chipped in for 48 as well.
Match Prediction
Will we get some life out of the pitch in Karachi or will we be destined for another snooze fest of a Test match. After the backlash that the Pakistani Cricket Board has recieved for the 1st Test pitch, you can guarantee they'll be trying hard to serve up something spicy for the this weekend.
I think we'll definetely see a result in the 2nd Test. The weather is forecast to be sunny all five days and heavy spin in the later days should see plenty more wickets fall. The big benefit of having Cam Green in the line-up is that it allows the Aussies to play two front-line spinners. I'm not sure why they didn't go that way in the 1st Test, but I think they will in Karachi and it should make them much more balanced.
I like the odds for the Aussies to win this Test at a whopping $3.20.
