ODI World Cup 2023, Match 16: New Zealand vs Afghanistan Match Preview

Afghanistan and New Zealand will collide on the grand stage of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, which happens to be the 16th match of the tournament at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Wednesday, October 18. Both teams, brimming with confidence, aim to advance further in the tournament. The Black Caps, in their previous encounter, displayed clinical prowess by securing an emphatic eight-wicket victory against Bangladesh in Chennai. Meanwhile, Afghanistan soared to victory, upsetting England by a 69-run margin, marking their first World Cup win in eight years.

Despite facing the unfortunate loss of their skipper, Kane Williamson, due to a thumb injury, New Zealand maintain a formidable aura. The Black Caps have showcased sheer dominance, consistently outclassing their opponents across all facets of the game throughout the tournament. On the flip side, Afghanistan, having claimed a significant scalp in the form of England, now pose as a force to be reckoned with. The spin-friendly conditions of Chennai could potentially tilt the scales in Afghanistan's favour, demanding the Kiwis to muster a relentless effort.

Also Check: Most Wickets in ODI World Cup 2023

NZ vs AFG Pitch and Conditions

The MA Chidambaram Stadium, renowned for its slowish wickets, invariably favours teams with adept spin-bowling arsenals. In the ODI World Cup 2023, the pitches here have consistently kept both batters and bowlers engaged in riveting contests. Setting a challenging precedent, the average first-innings score at this venue in ODIs stands at 240. Consequently, both New Zealand and Afghanistan will be compelled to breach this benchmark to bolster their chances of emerging victorious in the upcoming clash scheduled for October 18.

NZ vs AFG, Probable Playing XIs for ODI World Cup 2023, Match 16

New Zealand 

In the absence of their skipper, Kane Williamson, New Zealand face a daunting challenge. Williamson's unfortunate thumb injury, incurred during a match against Bangladesh, has resulted in a fracture, sidelining him for at least three weeks. To fill the void, the Black Caps are set to enlist the services of Will Young as a replacement while the remainder of the combination remains unchanged.

Predicted XI: Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (C, WK), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

Afghanistan

For Afghanistan, the euphoria of their stunning triumph over England has been a celestial experience. However, they must swiftly shift their focus back to the task at hand as they prepare to confront the red-hot Kiwis. The intriguing question lingers: how will the Afghan boys fare against a formidable opponent like New Zealand? On the team composition front, the Afghan side may opt to persist with their current lineup, maintaining continuity as they strive to sustain their winning momentum.

Predicted XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

NZ vs AFG Head-to-Head in ODIs:

NZ vs AFG Broadcast Details:

Also Check: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Points Table