- ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
- Sunday 30 October, 2022
- Bangladesh v Zimbabwe, Netherlands v Pakistan, India v South Africa
- The Gabba, Brisbane and Optus Stadium, Perth (3am-11am UK)
The cricket played so far in this World Cup has been fascinating - thrillers and upsets galore. Now all we need is the weather to play ball.
Clearly, the standout fixture is the last one, at Perth, India v South Africa - two unbeaten sides who are favourites to qualify for the semi-finals out of Group Two. India have played two, won two and South Africa have added a win to a No Result.
But Zimbabwe will certainly be dreaming after beating Pakistan the other day. They also sit on three points alongside their African neighbours.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will be dreading. If they are subjected to another shock, Babar Azam and co will be all but out of the tournament.
To me, the first and last games of the day are the most intriguing, as I’d be very surprised if Pakistan lose again.
Bangladesh v Zimbabwe, The Gabba, 3am
I’d be more than happy to take Zimbabwe to win here at a best price of 13/8 with Betfred, something which would give them a fighting chance of qualifying for the semis.
They are on a roll having won three of five games at this World Cup, losing only once added to a rain-affected No Result against South Africa.
Last time out, they beat Pakistan in a thriller at Perth and also beat Bangladesh 2-1 in a home T20 series in late July/early August.
After beating the Netherlands in their opening game, Bangladesh were on the wrong end of a good hiding against South Africa last time out, losing by 104 runs.
Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza is having one heck of a tournament so far. In fact, I’d make a very strong argument to suggest he has been the player of the tournament to date.
There are a couple of things which interest me here.
Safety first. I’d be going over 33.5 for 5/6 on his player performance marker with bet365.
He has cleared that mark comfortably in every game so far bar the washed out clash with South Africa, totting up performance markers of 112, 94, 70 and 69. So you can see why over 33.5 appeals.
Remember it is a point a run, 10 per catch and 20 per wicket for this market.
The other is the 17/2 on him to be player of the match with Paddy Power, something he has achieved three times already at this World Cup.
Netherlands v Pakistan, Optus Stadium, Perth, 7am
I’ll be honest, the Dutch are the team I have seen least of through this World Cup. What I have seen, I haven’t been overly impressed.
Of the qualifiers from the first stage - Ireland, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe the others - they have been the team that has left me the coldest.
I can’t see them winning in Perth, but I don’t see the value in taking Pakistan at a best price of 1/10 with a number of firms. So I will look elsewhere for value.
At time of writing, opener Max O’Dowd’s haul of 153 runs leaves him as the competition’s second leading run-scorer, but I still think Colin Ackermann is their best batter, the South African-born Leicestershire skipper.
He has scored 96 runs from number four in their order, including a well made 62. I quite like the 5/1 on him to be the Dutch top batter in this match with Paddy Power.
India v South Africa, Optus Stadium, Perth, 11am
I suggested Rilee Rossouw as one of the runners and riders for tournament top batter before a ball was bowled, and he is currently very much in the running after a superb 109 from number three last time out against Bangladesh.
He brought us in a 4/1 shot on him to be SA’s top batter in that fixture, and I’m more than happy to repeat the dose. The in-form left-hander is 4/1 again for this match courtesy of a bet365 price boost.
The other one is Virat Kohli. Would you back against him capturing the same market for the Indian team for the third game running? I suspect the answer is no.
He is a best price of 3/1 to do so with Ladbrokes, who I actually think are offering a more appealing price boosted 4/1 on him to score a fifty.
To me, the 4/1 is the safer bet as it takes others out of the equation. And you’d have to say it’s unlikely he will top score for India if he doesn’t post a fifty. If choosing between the two, that’s the one I’d be going with.
* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
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