ENGLAND V PAKISTAN BETTING AND LIVERPOOL FC IN TAKEOVER BID

England face Pakistan at Edgbaston tomorrow in the second test against Pakistan. The hosts lead the series 1-0 after a brilliant 354 run victory in the opening Test and now have their sights set firmly on a 4-0 whitewash ahead of this winter’s Ashes tour.Pakistan have recalled Mohammad Yousuf – one of the country’s greatest ever batsmen – to the squad following that humiliating defeat at Trent Bridge last week. However, it is unclear whether he will play in the second Test match as he race against time to arrive in the country. Yousuf is due to arrive in Birmingham at around midday on Thursday and only then can the Pakistani selectors determine whether their man is ready, both mentally and physically, to be thrown straight into the Test match arena.Despite the prospect of Yousuf being involved totesport still have England as a short price 4/6 with Pakistan at 9/2 and the draw at 2/1.In football it is the Liverpool FC takeover saga that is dominating the headlines. First it was a Chinese businessman by the name of Kenny Huang that was seen to be the front runner, and then yesterday a Syrian international by the name of Yahya Kirdi released a statement insinuating that he was at an advanced stage of proceedings regarding a takeover bid.The most positive aspect of the news for Liverpool fans is that current chairman Martin Broughton is confident that a deal can be completed before the end of the month. If he remains true to his word then manager Roy Hodgson could have considerable funds available to spend before the close of the summer transfer window.There are plenty of ifs and buts here but should everything go to plan then Stan James’s odds of 7/4 on Liverpool achieving a top 4 finish could look rather tempting.