Cricket betting tips: Back England to dominate Pakistan again at Lord’s
England return to Lord’s on Thursday looking to take an unassailable 2-0 lead against Pakistan, with Joe Root’s side heavily favoured after their emphatic victory in the first Test at Headingley.
England are priced at 1.10 to win the second Test, with Pakistan available at 6.25, but the outright market offers limited value at such a short price.
Instead, the more interesting betting angles come through England’s leading batters and bowlers, particularly after their attack dismantled Pakistan twice at Headingley.
Play is scheduled to start at 11am BST.
England can secure their first Test-series victory since December 2024 with another win.
England's attack remains the key
Pakistan were bowled out for just 171 and 135 in the opening Test, losing by an innings and 103 runs inside three days.
Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue both took five-wicket hauls in the first innings, with Robinson finishing with 5-51 and Tongue 5-46.
Robinson's dismissal of Abdullah Shafique was particularly impressive, while his control throughout the innings demonstrated why he remains such a difficult bowler to face when conditions assist him.
Lord’s could again reward seamers who consistently challenge the outside edge, making Ollie Robinson to be England's top first-innings bowler an appealing player market.
England's bowling depth also means Pakistan cannot simply wait for one bowler to have an off day.
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Root remains the obvious batting angle
Joe Root's return to the Test captaincy could hardly have gone better.
The Yorkshire batter finished the first Test unbeaten on 99 in England's first innings and then remained unbeaten on 20 as England chased the tiny target.
His tactical return has also coincided with an England side that looked far more controlled than during their recent struggles.
Root therefore remains the obvious candidate for England's top first-innings batter.
Pakistan's batting, meanwhile, remains the major concern. Abdullah Shafique's 61 was the only substantial score in the first innings, while the tourists failed to build meaningful partnerships in either innings.
Babar Azam is expected to return after missing the Headingley Test with a finger injury, which would provide Pakistan with some much-needed experience and quality in the middle order.
Pakistan need a dramatic response
Pakistan's problems extend beyond one poor Test.
They have now lost 14 of their last 19 Tests, according to Sky Sports' analysis, and their collapse at Headingley demonstrated the gulf currently separating the two sides.
Mohammad Abbas remains the obvious bowling threat, having taken two wickets in the first Test, while Shafique is the logical Pakistan batting pick after his 61 was comfortably the tourists' best contribution at Headingley.
There is also an unexpected distraction surrounding England. Brydon Carse has been withdrawn from the second-Test squad while the Cricket Regulator investigates an incident outside a Derby nightclub.
Sonny Baker replaces him in the squad.
That follows a difficult period for England off the field, with Root acknowledging that his team need to "earn back the trust" of the public.
Nevertheless, England's cricket was emphatic enough at Headingley that Pakistan need a dramatic improvement to turn this series around.
Best England vs Pakistan bets
Match winner: England @ 1.10
England top first-innings batter: Joe Root
England top first-innings bowler: Ollie Robinson
Pakistan top first-innings batter: Abdullah Shafique
Pakistan top first-innings bowler: Mohammad Abbas
Best bet: Ollie Robinson to be England's top first-innings bowler.
The outright England price is difficult to recommend at 1.10, but Robinson's combination of accuracy, movement and recent form makes him the more interesting angle.
After taking five wickets in the first innings at Headingley, he has another opportunity to exploit conditions at a ground where he has previously enjoyed considerable success.
Odds shown may have changed. Bet responsibly.
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