Match 16: New Zealand vs Afghanistan Match Date, Time, Squad, Venue, Pitch Report, Head to Head, Key Players, Prediction
The most fascinating tournament in the cricket world is just around the corner, and cricket enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the battle of thrilling encounters as all ten teams from across the globe will lock horns for cricket’s ultimate glory. The 13th edition of the showpiece event is set to be taken place in India from October 5 to November 19. In Match No. 16 of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the previous edition’s runners-up, New Zealand, will take on Afghanistan. Afghanistan emerged as a great cricketing nation over the past few years. With a history of impressive performances in past World Cups, the Kiwis are determined to make a mark in the tournament.
New Zealand vs Afghanistan Squad:
NZ Squad: Tom Latham(wk), Finn Allen, Devon Conway(wk), Kane Williamson(c), Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson.
AFG Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz(wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Ikram Alikhil(wk), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Rahmat Shah, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq, Fareed Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad.
Afghanistan vs New Zealand Date & Time:
The highly anticipated clash between New Zealand and Afghanistan is scheduled on October 18, 2023. This day-night clash will kick off at 2:00 pm(IST). Cricket Stadium in Chennai will host the match between these two great cricketing nations.
Afghanistan vs New Zealand Venue:
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium will host the exhilarating contest between Afghanistan and New Zealand. It is located in Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu. The stadium is also known as Chepauk Stadium. It has a capacity of around 50,000 spectators. The stadium’s crowd is reputed as the most knowledgeable and appreciative in the country. It is India’s second oldest cricket stadium, after Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India. The stadium has hosted seven matches across three ODI World Cups in 1987, 1996, and 2011.
M.A. Chidambaram Cricket Stadium Records:
Total Matches: 23
Batting First Won: 14
Batting Second Won: 8
No Result: 1
Average 1st Innings Score: 230
Highest Total: Asia XI 337/7(50 Ov) vs Africa XI
Lowest Total: Kenya 69/10(23.5 Ov) vs New Zealand
MA Chidambaram Stadium Pitch Report:
The pitch provides help to both batsmen and bowlers. Generally, the pitch is solid and dry, which assists the spin bowlers. As the match progresses, it tends to slow down, which makes stroke playing difficult in the second innings. Hence most teams choose to bat first after winning the toss. As the tournament is scheduled for October-November, the dew will also play a vital role during matches.
Nz vs Afg head to head in World Cup:
New Zealand’s cricket team has been a part of the ODI World Cup since its inception in 1975, yet they are still pursuing their maiden trophy despite participating in 12 official tournaments. However, they will be eager to rectify their narrow miss in the 2019 World Cup and set their sights on lifting the coveted trophy this time. On the other hand, Afghanistan made its first World Cup appearance in the 2015 World Cup, and the upcoming World Cup is Afghanistan’s third consecutive ODI World Cup. The last world cup edition didn’t go well for the Afghan side, as they lost all their matches and finished last on the points table. Now they look to turn things around in WC 2023. New Zealand and Afghanistan came head to head against each other in two world cup matches, and Kiwis won on both occasions.
World Cup 2015:
March 8, 2015, McLean Park.
AFG: 186/10(47.4Ov) vs NZ: 188/4(36.1Ov)
New Zealand won by six wickets.
World Cup 2019:
June 8, 2019, County Ground, Taunton.
AFG: 172/10(41.1Ov) vs NZ: 173/3(32.1Ov)New Zealand won by seven wickets.
New Zealand and Afghanistan Team Analysis:
The current captain of the Afghan side is Hashmatullah Shahidi, one of the most accomplished batters in the 50-over cricket. Vice-captain Najibullah Zadran is also the mainstream part of the team in the batting lineup. The young opening batter Ibrahim Zadran has an average of 60+ in the ODI and scored three centuries in his first 11 matches. In fast bowling, they have the likes of Fazal Haq Farooqi and Naveen ul Haq the two leading performers in recent times. Their contributions will be vital for the team’s bowling strategy.
New Zealand has a group of key players who will play crucial roles in their quest for the World Cup title. Kane Williamson will lead the New Zealand side with a skilled and composed mindset. With nerves of steel, Williamson has displayed exceptional leadership and led the team to some of their best-ever performances. A skillful all-rounder, Mitchell Santner will play a pivotal role with both bat and ball. As a left-arm spinner, his ability to control the middle overs and pick up crucial wickets will be crucial for New Zealand’s success.
Key Players in Afg vs Nz WC Match:
The key asset for New Zealand will be the composed middle-order batter Daryl Mitchell, known for his ability to anchor the innings and can boost the scoreboard when needed. His experience of playing in different leagues gives him the edge to deal with pressure situations. Another star performer from the New Zealand side could be Tim Southee, known for his experience and ability to extract movement off the pitch, making him a potent force against the Afghan batting lineup. From Afghanistan, the young fierce opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz who has carried his team for quite some time could be lethal against the Kiwis’ bowling lineup. The 21-year-old batter Gurbaz can play powerful strokes all around the ground giving the Afghan side a furious and confidential start at the top of the order. The experience of Rashid Khan and Mohammed Nabi will be very valuable for the side as they both performed very well in the bowling and batting departments.
Nz vs Afg World Cup 2023 Prediction:
New Zealand is gearing up with a well-balanced squad and strong leadership to compete for the prestigious trophy. The New Zealand cricket team delivered an exceptional performance in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup and continued their impressive run in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, highlighting their competitive spirit and ability to compete with the best teams in the world. The Kiwis side will enter this match with the upper hand over the Afghan side and are the favorites to win this match. With a strong squad consisting of experienced veterans and promising young talent, the Afghanistan Cricket Team is ready to impose a tough challenge against New Zealand. Indian bowler Ravichandran Ashwin predicts Afghanistan is the dark horse in the upcoming World Cup and has a significant chance of doing well on Indian pitches. They had the potential to upset a big team like New Zealand.
