At 4.45am on Friday morning, Pakistan and India meet in Lahore for the first of three Test Matches. Of course, the pitches will bear little or no resemblance to the fast bowler graveyards prepared for England's pace attack. India have two of the best spinners in the world in Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh and the rumours are that pacey, grassy pitches will be the order of the day.


There's very little between these sides (12/5 Pakistan and 10/3 India), and the 4/5 quote about the draw may look skinny, but 15 matches out of 23 between these two in Pakistan have ended in stalemate. It's midwinter in Pakistan, so the days are shorter. There's a particular problem with fog in Lahore at the moment and the weather forecast is for rain during the match.


If the 4/5 doesn't appeal, the 0-0 series correct score looks value at 13/2. Given how closely matched the teams are, the quality of the batsmen on show (Tendulkar, Dravid and Inzamam are amongst the top 10 in the world at present) and midwinter conditions in Pakistan, it's almost inconceivable that any more than one match will end in a result. If you fancy India or Pakistan to win, you can get 7/2 for a 1-0 series victory for either side. I believe there are only three possible series outcomes; 1-0 for either side, or 0-0. At bet365's 13/2, the 0-0 has to be the value.


Cricket Pick
Pakistan v India (1st test, Lahore) – Draw @ 4/5

Pakistan v India (Series correct score) 0-0 @ 13/2