Pakistan v England first T20: Buttler rested despite ODI record

England’s spin bowling has come in for plenty of criticism during this tour of the UAE with unforgiving pitches not helping the cause. Moeen Ali found the Dubai surface to his liking in the final ODI, however, taking the best figures of 3-53.

The Worcestershire all-rounder was also top bowler during the T20 tour warm-up game against the Emirates, recording an impressive 4-11. It pays, then, to back Ali to be best with the ball again from England at a nifty 9/2.

Pakistan retain experience

Although this is a short form of cricket, openings for younger players remain few and far between from Pakistan’s perspective.

Mohammad Irfan’s seven wickets during the One Day series made the 33-year-old a worthy 3/1 favourite in the best Pakistan bowler market for this match but he too isn’t playing, so punters must decide on whether erratic fast bowler Wahab Riaz is worth a wager at 10/3.

All-rounder Shoaib Malik, also 33, was their best with the bat last time out, making 52 off just 34 balls, and is 9/2 to repeat that on the same ground here.

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Check out our other cricket content, which includes previews of all of England’s matches against Pakistan on their tour of the United Arab Emirates.

Coral’s top tip: Moeen Ali likes this Dubai pitch, so back him at a nifty 9/2 to be best England bowler.