Apart from Eoin Morgan and James Taylor, England’s batting was abysmal in the first one-day international against Pakistan.

They were 14-3, made a miraculous recovery and then declined to 216 all out. The total was woefully inadequate.

Though the ball moved a bit off the seam - and spun a little later - they batted as if they hadn’t been to the middle for two months.

In the case of the opening pair - Alex Hales and Jason Roy - they largely hadn’t.

A warm up match against Hong Kong was insufficient preparation.

For the second ODI, the batsmen will have to acclimatise quickly.

Hales and Roy will need to be sharper and more adaptable. There is rigidity to both their methods that can come unstuck on a pitch where the ball deviates.

They will need to get through the early overs where there is just a hint of swing and capitalise on overs 5-20 when batting is at its easiest.

After that the older ball starts to grip and spin.

Also, they are using the same pitch as for the first match in Abu Dhabi, so it will turn a little more.

The lynchpin of the innings - Joe Root - got a good ball on Tuesday and a hairline umpiring decision.

Root is unlikely to fail again. But a good start would really help take the pressure off him.

England haven't managed a 50 opening stand for six matches. Four of those games have ended in defeats.

England will also have to bat smarter in the last 10 overs as there will be plenty of accurate spin and some well-directed bouncers and yorkers from the likes of Wahab Riaz.

Pakistan also surprised everyone with their brilliant fielding.

Jos Buttler - wastefully run out on Tuesday, though he would do well to be more assertive and say no occasionally - and Moeen Ali will again be taxed.

Buttler looks generally a little forlorn. The death overs is not an easy place to regain lost form.

It may be in England’s interests to bat second if they win the toss as the ball seemed to slide on to the bat slightly better under lights.

And with two spinners bowling indifferently and no proven death bowler, it may be harder for them to defend a total than pursue one.

But whenever they bat, they need to do it much better, and for longer.

Anything under 275 and they will lose again.

Pakistan v England second ODI betting

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