T20 World Cup 2022: Match 21 - Predicted New Zealand Playing XI vs Afghanistan

New Zealand head to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to face Afghanistan in Match 21 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. The Kiwis demolished the Australian side in their first Super 12 fixture, winning the match by 89 runs. The win was so huge that their net run rate shot up to +4.450. 

Prior to the tournament, not many believed that the Kiwis would put up a dominating performance against the Aussies. However, the Black Caps can now look for a way to better their last year’s record of making it to the finals. Whereas, Afghanistan endured a contrasting result in their last game as they were defeated at the hands of England in a low-scoring contest.

New Zealand will look to continue with their high-risk approach with the bat against the Mohammad Nabi-led Afghanistan in the hope that it yields them another winning result. Though the Kiwis are coming into this match as the favourites, Afghanistan have the potential of producing an upset. But it will be a tricky one to pull off.

Let’s look at New Zealand’s probable playing XI against Afghanistan:

Openers: Devon Conway (wk), Finn Allen

Devon Conway, the wicketkeeper batter displayed great class and composure in the match against the Aussies. After the wicket of Finn Allen at the other end, Conway took charge of the attack and went berserk scoring an unbeaten 58-ball 92.

Allen showcased pure aggression against the brute pace of the Aussie bowlers and blasted them right from the word ‘go’. A 16-ball cameo appearance was enough for him to score 42 runs that included three maximums at a strike rate of 262.50. The Kiwis will continue with this opening order against Afghanistan and look for similar results.

Middle-order: Kane Williamson (c), Glenn Phillips

The experience and versatility of Kane Williamson has helped the side on numerous occasions. The right hander can toggle between hard-hitting and anchoring as per the demand of the situation. Williamson will be expected to lead by example in the upcoming clash.

Glenn Phillips was sensational in the fifth match of the recent tri-series in New Zealand against Bangladesh where he ripped apart the bowlers completely. The batter scored an excellent knock of 60 off just 24 deliveries and the Kiwis will hope he can replicate such innings in the Australian conditions.

All-rounder: Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner

On the eve of the match against Afghanistan, pacer Trent Boult confirmed that Daryl Mitchell has trained in the previous few days. There is a high possibility that the hard hitter will play the fixture against the Mohammad Nabi-led side at the MCG. Assuming he returns for this fixture, it is likely he will replace Mark Chapman in the middle order.

James Neesham’s 13-ball 26 helped the side to end with a flourish, moreover, he along with Conway put on an unbeaten 48 runs for the fourth wicket in 24 balls. The all-rounder can produce the big shots and also help with the ball in providing crucial breakthroughs.

Looking at how the Australian conditions behave, the all-rounder Mitchell Santner, who is also a left-arm spinner, may not get much spin as the tracks favour the seamers more. But he was excellent in the game against Australia picking up a three-fer and contributing in the win big time.

Bowlers: Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

The ‘T’ factor in the New Zealand line-up could be a crucial factor in the game against Afghanistan. The duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee took five wickets in the match against Australia. The lethal pair can strike again for the Black Caps against Afghanistan.

Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi too relished fine outings with the ball as they did not leak too many runs and shared a wicket each in the first Super 12 match of their campaign. Moreover, due to the long boundaries at the MCG, the Afghan batters will find it tricky to dispatch Sodhi.

New Zealand predicted XI against Afghanistan:

Devon Conway (wk), Finn Allen, Kane Williamson (c), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

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