Betting on Pakistan

[Burbage]

Is Butt trying to get out on 16?

Look for a few run outs, it's the only guaranteed way to get out.

[Mr Oz]

Gawd burb your starting to sound like me.
Actually they are going quite well. I actually think their trying to with this one...

[Burbage]

I certainly wouldn't bet on that.

Butt's just dropped a catch. I checked a bit of history, Butt ran himself out ridiculously in his last two innings, probably would have been too obvious to do it a third time.

This series has been like watching a train wreck. The only issue of any excitement is trying to figure out which actions of the Pakistanis are paid for by the bookies.

[Burbage]

T20

OK. What do you reckon? Put your house on Pakistan to lose? Ideal set up for the bookies. Pakistan would almost be fairly favourite as the world champions etc. Australia's weakest form of the game. So the bookies offer decent odds on Pakistan and they throw the game.

The only thing that will knock that idea is Australia collapsing in the first innings. If the Aussies are bowled out for 70, will pakistan try to get out for less?

What's probably more interesting is who is going to throw away a wicket stupidly to get out on a particular score. Look out for dodgy run outs.

Or am I too cynical?

Roll on the Windies. At least they try to win.

[Burbage]

Well that's perfect for the bookies. Anything between 120 and 140 is ideal. the question is whether they can collect enough bets and get their communications in order. Pakistan are now clear favourites, so there should be lots of interest in anything better than even odds.

instructions to the Pakistan team... Crawl to about 60 and don't lose too many wickets, which gives us a bit of time to collect bets, and then collapse in the last seven to five overs. And lose.

Let's see what happens.

[Burbage]

In summary, if Pakistan lose this game by collapsing in the last ten overs, they are definitely being got to by the bookies.

[Burbage]

I do hope I'm wrong.

[Burbage]

QED

Actually I don't blame the Pakistanis. They are professional sportsmen. If they make more money from losing than from winning then that's professionalism for you. It's the sport that has the problem.

[Fat Bob]

Are you talking to yourself? Second sign of madness. First one is answering yourself. Which you've also done!

[Burbage]

I always talk to the most intelligent person present.

[Fat Bob]

You're talking to me. As much as I'm flattered, after last night I certainly don't seem that intelligent at the moment!

[Burbage]

Wake up with a dog again?

[Fat Bob]

I'm just thinking of hair of.....

Though I do have duck sausage....mmmmm......