Pakistan vs Australia 2nd Test: Prediction and Betting Tips

05:00, 12 mar 2022
05:00, 12 mar 2022
Countdown to event
00
00
00
00
Event starts in
00
00
00
00
Karachi’s National Stadium is the venue for the second Test as Pakistan and Australia emerged from Rawalpindi with a high-scoring draw. The City of Lights is a Pakistan stronghold. They’ll be seeking to go one-up in the series with one game to play. Read our free predictions and betting picks for the game here…
Statistics per month: Winnings: 0$ % of profit: 0 bets: 0 Won: 0 Statistic >

Key Stats

  • Pakistan has won four of their last six home Tests (W4, D2)
  • The hosts have won seven of their last nine Tests home and away since January 2021 (W7, D1, L1)
  • Pakistan have lost one of their last 20 Tests in their home country since Oct 2004 (W10, D9, L1)
  • Pakistan have only lost two of 43 Test matches played at the National Stadium in Karachi

First Test snore fest played out with tragic Warne backdrop

Shane Warne’s death at just 52 on the first day of the first Test cast a long shadow. The five days in Rawalpindi did little to raise the mood. The 1,187 runs for the loss of only 14 wickets was described as a bore fest. It was a track that never threatened to yield a positive result.

What Australia would have given for a Warne in their team. Their attack was toothless and they shake up their bowling ranks for Karachi.

The National Stadium, Karachi

The NSK is a ground where Pakistan have only lost two of 43 Test matches. It first staged a Test in February 1955 (W23, D18, L2). Australia have played eight Tests there between October 1956 and October 1998. They have never won there (D3, L5).

The Karachi pitch will receive great scrutiny after the Rawalpindi track was much maligned. Slow scoring and bat dominating the ball led to the Pakistan Cricket Board being criticised. The ICC subsequently rated the first Test pitch as ‘below average’ and it earned a demerit point. That may cause a reaction and, if so, a result is likely with spin coming to the fore.

The stats heavily favour the home side who are 2.37 to win. The draw is 3.50. With history not favouring Australia, the Double Chance market of Pakistan or the draw at 1.40 has appeal. But with a positive result likely, it might be wise to take the draw out of the equation and back Pakistan at 2.37.

Pakistan openers in great form

The Highest Opening Partnership market is priced as a pick ‘em. But the host’s first wicket pair arrive in Karachi with confidence high. Abdullah Shafique (44 and 136 not out) and Imam-ul-Haq (157 and 111 not out) added stands of 105 and an unbroken second innings 252. They became the third Pakistani Test opening pair to record 100-plus run partnerships in each innings.

Usman Khawaja (97) and David Warner (68) responded with a 156-run opening partnership for Australia.

In home conditions, Pakistan to post the highest opening stand at 1.91 is the way to go.

Spin is king in Karachi

Slow left-arm spinner Nauman Ali took 6/107 as Australia were dismissed for 459 in Rawalpindi. Spin has claimed 43% of all wickets to fall at the NSK. Naman took 7/73 when Pakistan beat South Africa there in January last year.

Nauman is 3.75 to be Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in the second Test.

Hasan Ali looks set to return to Pakistan’s pace attack. Faheem Ashraf has tested positive for COVID-19 and misses out again.

Australia to bolster their own spinning ranks

Mitch Swepson is likely to be handed a debut as Australia look set to add the leg-spinner to Nathan Lyon’s off-spin. The tourists took an accumulated 4/728 in 239 overs on a flat Rawalpindi track. They need a point of difference to make something happen.

Nathan Lyon has taken three-or-more wickets in only one of his last nine away Test innings.

Azhar Ali loves batting against Australia

Pakistan’s no.3 Azhar Ali scored 185 in Rawalpindi. He now averages 56.43 against Australia in 10 Tests. Across 23 innings the 37-year-old has notched four centuries and five fifties. Despite the glowing form of his country’s opening pair, Azhar looked in sparkling form.

Azhar is amazingly fifth favourite in the Pakistan Top Scorer market at a very tempting price of 4.50.

Another batter that may grab the bookies money is Babar Azam. But the wonderfully talented Pakistan skipper averages only 31.78 against Australia. That is his lowest return against international opposition. He’s always worth watching but should be swerved in this market.

Warner the bet for the tourists

The Aussie version of Azhar Ali is David Warner. The opener has enjoyed his eight Tests against Pakistan. He averages 104.73 in 12 innings and has scored five centuries and three fifties. His highest Test score of 335 not out also comes against Pakistan.

Warner has not top scored in any of Australia’s last 19 Test innings. He played very well for his Rawalpindi 68 and is worth backing to break that trend. He is fourth favourite in the Australia batting market and provides great value at 4.50.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Zahid Mahmood.

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Steve Smith (vice-captain), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.

Single: Pending
Test match
05:00/12 mar
Pakistan vs Australia 2nd Test
Will this bet win?
Voted 0 users
Yes 50%
No 50%
Yes
No
Don't you agree with the expert?
Suggest your tip
Single: Pending
Test match
05:00/12 mar
Pakistan vs Australia 2nd Test
Will this bet win?
Voted 0 users
Yes 50%
No 50%
Yes
No
Don't you agree with the expert?
Suggest your tip
Single: Pending
Test match
05:00/12 mar
Pakistan vs Australia 2nd Test
Will this bet win?
Voted 0 users
Yes 50%
No 50%
Yes
No
Don't you agree with the expert?
Suggest your tip
Single: Pending
Test match
05:00/12 mar
Pakistan vs Australia 2nd Test
Will this bet win?
Voted 0 users
Yes 50%
No 50%
Yes
No
Don't you agree with the expert?
Suggest your tip
Single: Pending
Test match
05:00/12 mar
Pakistan vs Australia 2nd Test
Will this bet win?
Voted 0 users
Yes 50%
No 50%
Yes
No
Don't you agree with the expert?
Suggest your tip
Found a mistake?Let us know
Still have questions? Ask our experts!
Comments