- ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, final
- Sunday 13 November, 2022
- England v Pakistan
- Melbourne Cricket Ground (8am UK)
I have mentioned this before, but it is definitely worth repeating. If England win at the MCG on Sunday, they will hold both the 50-over and T20 World Cup trophies.
And I’m fully backing them to do it and reverse the result of the 50-over final 30 years ago when Imran Khan’s Cornered Tigers triumphed.
England were my outright tip before a ball was bowled at 7/2, and they are 4/6 favourites to win the final.
Their overwhelming favouritism is no doubt owed much to the way they dismantled a chase of 169 against India in yesterday’s semi-final. I’d be amazed if it is not ranked as England’s greatest T20 performance given the occasion, etc.
Instead of taking that 4/6, I will be looking elsewhere for value given we already have that pre-tournament punt for interest in terms of the match result.
It promises to be a fantastic occasion. Let’s just hope the rain stays away.
Babar looks to be finding touch and Jos is definitely the boss!
When looking at Pakistan top batters, I would usually side with Mohammad Rizwan, as I have done successfully in the last two matches. But I’ve just got this feeling in my bones that Sunday will be more of a case of Babar Boom than Vava Voom!
After a difficult tournament so far, Babar Azam has looked more like it in the last two games - Bangladesh and New Zealand - with 25 and 53. And I think he will have another good day.
He is 12/5 with bet365 to score a fifty in the match and 11/4 to be Pakistan’s top batsman with Ladbrokes. I would be interested in taking on both punts.
In terms of England success with the bat, I would certainly be taking on bet365′s price boost of 10/3 on Jos Buttler to be their top batter.
Why? He’s the best T20 batter in the world. Need I say more!
Can Afridi follow Akram’s heroics in 1992?
If Pakistan are to win this one - they’re a best price of 27/20 to do so - then you feel in-form quick Shaheen Shah Afridi has got to have a good day.
When Pakistan beat England at Melbourne to win the 50-over World Cup in ‘92, a left-arm quick named Wasim Akram starred with 3-49 from 10 overs (he also hit 33 with the bat).
Now Afridi has been in white hot form over the last few weeks after going wicket-less in the first two games. He has since struck 10 times in four matches. He has been his side’s top bowler in three of those matches.
So I would be taking the 3/1 Ladbrokes are offering on him to make it a quartet of Pakistan top bowler performances.
Buttler can secure big priced #OddsOnThat selection
Just returning to England skipper Jos Buttler to finish off. I would be interested in Betfair’s combination of him to hit a six, take a catch and a stumping, which is on offer at 17/2.
In the last three games, he has just been missing a stumping from that combination. But leg-spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone have looked much more threatening of late, making me think the stumping could be on its way.
I’d be willing to take a chance for small stakes.
* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.