New Zealand will lock horns against Afghanistan in the 16th game of the ongoing World Cup 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Wednesday. The Kiwis have won all of their three matches whereas Afghanistan were able to stun England in their last match in Delhi by 69 runs.
We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form for Afghanistan: W L L L L
Afghanistan was able to get the much-needed win against England after losing their first two matches. The Afghan team was able to come up with a collective show with both bat and ball as Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ikram Alikhil, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Nabi all delivered for the team.
Current form for New Zealand: W W W W W
The Kiwis have been in terrific form and they have delivered as a unit. However, Kane Williamson fractured his left thumb against Bangladesh and he is all set to miss the next few matches. Tom Blundell has been called as cover and the Blackcaps will aim to continue the winning momentum.
Head to Head: Matches: 2, Won by New Zealand: 2, Won by Afghanistan: 0.
Players to look out for: Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi will be the crucial players for Afghanistan.
Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, and Tim Southee will be the crucial players for New Zealand.
Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Abdul Rahman, Naveen ul Haq.
New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young, Tom Blundell.
