England v Pakistan 1st ODI – 08/07/2021

England v Pakistan 1st ODI Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Predictions – 08/07/2021

England and Pakistan get their three-game ODI series underway.

The home side comfortably brushed Sri Lanka aside in their previous series but now have an inexperienced side after a Covid-19 outbreak forced their first-choice squad into isolation.

Explore our free cricket tips for this match.

England v Pakistan 1st ODI – Match Preview

England won’t have learned much from their easy wins over Sri Lanka recently but this should pose much more of a test, especially given the fact it is a fringe squad for all three games.

Pakistan were a little flat at times against Zimbabwe but have players capable in this format.

Where: Sophia Gardens Cardiff

When: Thursday, 8 July 2021

Start time: 17:30 IST (12:00 GMT)

Pitch conditions: It has historically been better to chase at this venue in ODI cricket. A score of around 250 in the first innings tends to be par.

Weather conditions: It will be an overcast day in Cardiff for this fixture but rain is unlikely. Temperatures should be just below 20 degrees.

England v Pakistan 1st ODI – Latest Odds

Pakistan are now the favourites for this game after England’s enforced squad changes. The visitors can be backed at 1.8 with 1xBet

England are available at 2.0 with the same betting site.

England v Pakistan 1st ODI – Team News

• New Squad – This is now an England squad made up of some inexperienced fringe players following a Covid-19 outbreak among those first selected.
• Phil Salt – The explosive opener is among the uncapped contingent. He joins Brydon Carse, Will Jacks, Tom Helm, David Payne, and John Simpson who could all make an international bow.
• Ben Stokes – The all-rounder returns to captain the side after England’s whole squad was forced into isolation after positive coronavirus tests.
• Dawid Malan – Malan had been away from the initial squad due to family reasons but has been drafted into the new setup and bring some much-needed international experience.
• Babar Azam – The Pakistan captain has been putting in more brilliant displays for his country this year and will be key to their chances.
• Mohammad Rizwan – The wicketkeeper-batsman is another in good nick after leading Multan Sultans to PSL glory this year. Expect more from him.

England v Pakistan 1st ODI – Betting Tips and Predictions

Our experts have cricket betting tips for this match. These include the latest odds and are based on the form of the players.

Back Ball for Top Bowler

The fact England have been forced to name an entirely new squad for this fixture will hand an opportunity to others to shine.

One of those could be Nottinghamshire’s Jake Ball if he is given the chance.

The right-arm pacer has been in excellent form once again in the T20 Blast with 11 wickets in his last five matches.

His price of 4.5 with bet365 looks a great bet should he take the field in Cardiff.

Zaman Offers Value

While Babar Azam tops the top Pakistan batsmen market, it does mean there could be value to be had elsewhere.

It could pay to side with Fakhar Zaman to be his team’s top run-scorer here.

He struggled to kick on and make big scores in T20 cricket recently but a return to this format can bring the best out in him.

There was plenty to like about his showings in the South Africa series in April. He followed up a superb 193 in Johannesburg with a score of 101 in Centurion.

He has a solid record in England and averages over 50 in the two ODIs he has played in Cardiff. His price of 4.5 with bet365 looks the value play.

Hasan Ali for Top Bowler

Hasan Ali has been among the wickets recently and has excelled in ODI cricket at this venue before.

The medium-pacer did really well in the recent PSL and has 10 wickets in three previous matches in Cardiff.

Given that record and current form, it looks a solid bet to back him at 4.0 with bet365 to be Pakistan’s top bowler.

See our round-up of the best cricket betting tips for this clash.