World Cup: India v Pakistan betting preview, TV channel, team news and tips

TV: Sky Sports Cricket & Main Event, 10.30am Sunday

Old Trafford, Manchester

Few sporting rivalries are as fierce as India versus Pakistan in cricket although the Manchester weather could put a dampener on the most anticipated game of the 2019 World Cup.

Rain is forecast to disrupt the game at Old Trafford and both teams have already had matches washed out – Pakistan’s clash with Sri Lanka and India’s game against New Zealand.

India, as 2-5 favourites, will be desperate to avoid a no result but punters learned not to write off Pakistan at the 2017 Champions Trophy in England.

Thumped by India in their opening game of the tournament, they rallied to beat their rivals by 180 runs in the final and are 2-1 for a repeat performance.

Best bets
India paceman Jasprit Bumrah bowled nine wicketless overs for 68 in the Champions Trophy final defeat to Pakistan but that was a rare off day for the world’s top-ranked ODI bowler.

Bumrah showed his big-game temperament in May’s IPL final, taking 2-14 from four overs to help Mumbai to a one-run victory over Chennai.

He has carried that form into the 50-over World Cup, producing a brilliant new-ball spell to dismiss South Africa openers Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla in India’s opening game.

Bumrah claimed 3-61 in the victory over Australia and Pakistan struggled to lay a bat on him in last September’s Asia Cup in Dubai where he took 2-23 and 2-29 against them.

The 5-2 that he is India’s top wicket-taker is worth considering given the bowler-friendly conditions but preference is for the 14-1 that the quick is named man of the match.

Pakistan’s openers are sure to be tested by Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar so the 11-2 about Mohammad Hafeez top-scoring looks worth a bet.

The veteran scored a breezy 59 at Trent Bridge in May’s ODI series against England and followed up with 84 in the shock World Cup win over the same opponents in Nottingham.

Hafeez made 46 against Australia before hitting a full toss from Aaron Finch straight to the man on the boundary and he will be keen to make amends for such a soft dismissal.

The 38-year-old has a solid one-day record against India, averaging 48.6 after a century and three fifties in 11 matches, and he scored 57 not out off just 37 balls in the Champions Trophy triumph at The Oval.

Recommendations
J Bumrah to be man of the match
1pt 14-1 Betway
M Hafeez top Pakistan runscorer
2pts 11-2 Sky Bet

Team news
India
Shikhar Dhawan is out with a fractured thumb so Lokesh Rahul will open with Vijay Shankar set to bat at number four.

Pakistan
Spinner Shadab Khan could be recalled after missing the defeat to Australia.

Venue
Old Trafford hosts its first game of the tournament and a decent batting pitch is expected although overcast conditions should favour the quick bowlers.

Jos Buttler steered England to a one-wicket win over Australia last year and seven of the last ten ODIs in Manchester have been won by the team batting second.

Weather
Showers forecast for most of the day with heavy rain likely to come at around 5pm, 18C.

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