Cricket betting tips: Best bets for England vs Pakistan and Afghanistan vs India
England face Pakistan in the third Test at Edgbaston this week, while Afghanistan take on India in the first of a three-match T20I series.
Here, Sports News Blitz cricket betting expert Himanshu Sharma breaks down the best bets, value plays, and key betting angles ahead of this week’s action.
England vs Pakistan, third Test
Date and time: Wednesday, September 9 at 11:00 am BST
Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
England, having already established a 2-0 series lead, are overwhelming favourites at 1.14 to complete a clean sweep, while Pakistan are priced at 5.40 to cause a major upset.
The hosts have won both Tests comfortably, and few will expect a Pakistan resurgence.
The tourists have sent seven players home midway through the tour, and the coaching staff has been changed ahead of this Test.
Joe Root has been relatively quiet by his standards in this series, but Edgbaston could provide the perfect opportunity for England's record run-scorer to return to form.
England skipper averages 64 at this venue, with three centuries and five fifties from 10 Tests.
A flatter surface with less movement should suit him considerably.
Mohammad Abbas has been Pakistan's standout performer in an otherwise chaotic series.
At Lord's, Abbas won Pakistan's top-bowler market in both innings.
Once again, the quick remains the most reliable option and can be backed as Pakistan's top first-innings bowler.
Best bets:
Match winner: England
Top England batter in first innings: Joe Root
Top England bowler in first innings: Ollie Robinson
Top Pakistan batter in first innings: Abdullah Shafique
Top Pakistan bowler in first innings: Mohammad Abbas
Afghanistan vs India, 1st T20I
Date and time: Sunday, September 13 at 14:30 BST
Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
India begin a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in New Delhi on Sunday.
Despite being the reigning T20 World Cup champions, India arrive with plenty to prove in the shortest format.
Recently, they suffered a 0-2 series defeat to Ireland and a 0-4 loss to England.
They did, however, restore some confidence with a 3-0 T20I series sweep against Zimbabwe.
A strong squad makes them heavy favourites, priced at 1.16, to win the opening match.
Afghanistan at 4.90 are the obvious value alternative for anyone unwilling to take such a short India price.
Afghans are capable of making life uncomfortable for India, particularly if their spinners get favourable conditions.
However, the big question is whether they can sustain that pressure throughout the game.
There are more interesting opportunities in the player and handicap markets.
India have greater depth in both batting and bowling, while Afghanistan's strength lies in their spin options.
From a player-betting perspective, Shreyas Iyer is India’s most reliable batting option to watch, while Ibrahim Zadran provides Afghanistan's strongest top-order angle.
With the ball, Arshdeep Singh is the standout India option, while Rashid Khan remains Afghanistan's obvious threat.
Best bets:
Match winner: India
Top Afghanistan batter: Ibrahim Zadran
Top India batter: Shreyas Iyer
Top Afghanistan bowler: Rashid Khan
Top India bowler: Arshdeep Singh
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