Pakistan v England second Test predictions: Pope can make his mark again

Free cricket tips, best bets & analysis for Pakistan v England in the second Test in Multan.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Cricket, 5am Friday

Best bets

Ollie Pope to score a 50 in the first innings
1pt 7-4 bet365

James Anderson to take three or more first-innings wickets
1pt 11-8 Coral, Ladbrokes

Second Test preview

England's first Test match in Pakistan since 2005 was well worth the wait.

In a match which produced a total of 1768 runs in Rawalpindi, the tourists took the initiative and pulled off a win for the ages against Pakistan.

England had initially posted a mammoth total of 657, prompting a response of 579 from Pakistan. With his side then on 264-7 in their second innings, a bold but genius declaration from England captain Ben Stokes at tea on day four then left Pakistan chasing 343 to win.

Pakistan fell short, England won by 74 runs and it was a breath of fresh 'Bazball' air to see the tourists prepared to risk losing for the chance to win rather than settling for a draw which had, at one stage, seemed inevitable.

Four of England's top five batsmen in that first Test managed to make centuries but they were also ruthless with the ball.

Faced with a lifeless pitch, England's seamers did not complain but dug deep and bowler Ollie Robinson was named player of the match, taking 4-50 in the second innings.

It is a win that will be remembered for a long time in the Test sphere but England must make it count when they turn out for the second match of the series in Multan.

The teams are once again set to be faced with a flat track and runs are expected.

But punters might be wary of top runscorer bets given how many batters flourished last time out and instead a bet on Ollie Pope to score a first-innings 50 could represent value.

Pope struck 108 in his first innings last time out and also made half-centuries in the first innings of two of the three matches England played against South Africa back in August and September.

The runs could flow again in Multan and key to England's game plan will be another significant first innings to which Pope can contribute significantly again.

England held their nerve brilliantly in the second innings after that game-changing declaration and, while Robinson rightfully got most of the plaudits, James Anderson was also as destructive as ever.

In the absence of Stuart Broad, Anderson's importance was heightened for the first Test and he delivered with 4-36 in the second innings, posting an economy rate of just 1.5.

Anderson has taken at least five wickets in five of his last seven Test matches and can claim at least three scalps in the first innings in Multan.

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