PRE MATCH ANALYSIS
Follow UsIt has become an ODI World Cup ritual to rule New Zealand out as the favourites to win the competition. Every edition, the Black Caps are underrated, and every time, they punch above their weights to reach the competition's knockout stages.
In the ODI World Cup, it has been the final stage of the competition for two editions in a row - 2015 and 2019. Yet, they came into this year’s World Cup not as firm favourites as India, Australia or Pakistan.
They are three out of three in this year’s competition, including a crushing win over the World Champions, England. In subcontinental conditions, New Zealand have the perfect composition - anchors, hitters and all-rounders.
On the other hand, Afghanistan took their World Cup losing streak to 14 games before waking up and deciding violence. It was against England in New Delhi when Afghanistan decided to end that streak with a win for the ages. Can they continue that streak against New Zealand?
Read: When cricket became louder than guns for Afghanistan
Will Young gets another crack at playing XI
With Kane Williamson returning to the playing XI against Bangladesh, New Zealand decided to put an end to Will Young at the top of the order. It was very heartbreaking, considering that Young has been New Zealand’s fourth-best run-scorer in the last two years (876 runs). But now, with Williamson’s unfortunate injury, an opportunity presents itself to Young.
Luckily for the right-hander, he has amazing numbers against spin - one of the biggest threatening points for the Afghanistan bowling unit. The right-hander averages 61 against spinners and has only been dismissed six times, with a strike-rate of 98. In fact, even his control percentage - 87.9 - is extremely good against spin.
It will be a perfect opportunity for him to showcase his skills.
Afghanistan’s batting needs to click together
156, 272, 284 - Afghanistan’s totals with the bat have been on the rise. But across all the games, there is an evident pattern. That has been surrounded by how the batters cannot carry on the momentum.
They were 47/1 in the first clash before succumbing to 156 all-out. They were 184/4 against India at one point before crashing to 272. More notably, they were 114/1 against England before crashing to 190/6. But lower-order bailed them out of trouble, helping them post 284, a score that was enough to beat the World Champions.
So, against New Zealand, it is a pattern that they would want to keep a close focus on and bat steadily to post at least 300 on board.
Ground details and team combination
After two clashes at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Afghanistan’s caravan finally moves to MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Luckily for New Zealand, it was the venue of their previous clash against Bangladesh, so familiarity is there with the conditions.
Teams batting first have struggled here in Chennai, with an average score of just 222, courtesy of Australia’s 199 in their clash against India. On both occasions, it was an easy win for the teams chasing, with Kane Williamson masterclass in their clash against Bangladesh.
So, teams winning the toss would definitely want to bowl first, even if it comes at the cost of standing in the heat.
Tactical Insights
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is a key batter for Afghanistan, as witnessed in their previous clash against England, where he scored a scintillating 80. There is one bowling type - left-arm orthodox - against whom the right-hander struggles. He’s gotten out four times, averaging only 20 with a strike-rate of 65. New Zealand have two left-arm spinners - Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra.
Devon Conway’s battle against Rashid Khan would be one to look forward to, given how the two have rarely battled against each other. In fact, Conway has only faced Rashid six deliveries at the T20 level, where he has scored nine runs without getting out. But given how Chepauk has a tendency to favour the spinners, Afghanistan might be tempted to give the leg-spinner an early go against Conway.
Probable XIs
With Kane Williamson’s injury, New Zealand are likely to go back to the XI with Will Young in the setup. Barring that, there should be no changes.
New Zealand’s Predicted XI: Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c and wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult,
After the famous win over England, expect Afghanistan to remain unchanged for this crucial clash against New Zealand.
Afghanistan’s Predicted XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
