Pakistan v England Third Test preview: England look value for series whitewash

England wrapped up a second Test victory in an away series against Pakistan for the first time in their history with another thrilling triumph in Multan to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.

The tourists will however be keen to wrap up a 3-0 whitewash to really assert their authority on what appears to be a transformed method of playing Test cricket, with a summer Ashes series with Australia creeping ever-closer.

We preview all the action below.

Pakistan v England – Saturday 05:00 GMT

The magnitude of England’s success in Pakistan over the past fortnight cannot be overstated, not just in terms of the result, but the manner in which it was achieved. England looked firm second favourites for large periods of each Test, but the confidence with which they execute their gameplan seems to flow through the team. In the end, they finished both matches as the comfortably better outfit.

Monday’s victory also demonstrated that Brendon McCullum’s side can win in different scenarios, this time prevailing in a low-scoring affair with a slow, turning pitch; a stark contrast to the flat track they encountered in Rawalpindi. We may only be nine matches into the Stokes-McCullum era, but their carefree leadership aura combined with an intense appetite to win cricket matches seems like it’s having a profound effect on what has always been an immensely talented squad.

Despite all this, England once again start as slight 6/4 underdogs for Saturday’s encounter, and frankly look good value to record a 3-0 series win based off the most recent two Tests. A draw, which seems improbable as the pitch will most likely turn again, is priced at 10/3, whilst the hosts to secure a consolation win can be backed at 11/8.

For Pakistan, avoiding a humiliating 3-0 series defeat at home looks a priority. They were well in the game at the beginning of Day 4 in the last Test, but a characteristic lower-order collapse gifted the initiative to the visitors. Expect Babar Azam to bat first if he’s given the chance on Saturday.

Spinners to do the damage

A positive takeaway for Pakistan was the performance of Abrar Ahmed on debut, who took seven first-innings wickets to blow away the England batting card. With a similar pitch anticipated for this final showdown, the leg-spinner leads the market at 2/1 to take the most first-innings wickets for Pakistan.

Predicting the top run scorer for this Pakistan side also has a definitive frontrunner, with captain Babar Azam 5/2 to anchor his side again after hitting 75 in the first innings of the last game. Also keep an eye out for Saud Shakeel (9/2), who scored 157 runs across both innings in Multan.

For England, wicketkeeper Ben Foakes is expected to come in for Will Jacks, whilst Mark Wood looked exhausted towards the end of the Multan Test after bowling admirably. With that in mind, there could be a debut in line for leg spinner Rehan Ahmed, who is 9/2 to take the most scalps in the first innings. James Anderson leads the market at 11/4.

In terms of run scoring, Joe Root has had a lean series but continues to head the betting at 11/4, but we once again like the price of Yorkshire’s Harry Brook at 9/2 to amass the most first-innings runs. Meanwhile, opener Ben Duckett has continued to take to these sub-continent pitches well, and can also be backed at 9/2 to top-score for the visitors.

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