ICC World Cup 2019: Match 13, Afghanistan vs New Zealand, Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

New Zealand is currently sitting pretty at the top of the points table with victories in both their matches. After thumping Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in their World Cup opener, Kane Williamson and Co defeated Bangladesh by three wickets in a closely-fought match at the Kennington Oval in London. Their next opponent in Afghanistan, who are languishing at the bottom with two defeats from as many games.

The Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton is set to host the encounter and it’s the second of tomorrow’s doubleheader. The Afghans, led by Gulbadin Naib, bowled down to Australia in their first match, but fought hard versus Sri Lanka, though they couldn’t get their first win. Afghanistan and New Zealand have met only once and that was in the 2015 World Cup, where the Kiwis won by six wickets.

Weather Report

There is a prediction of a heavy downpour from the morning from 9 am to 1 pm. Hence, there could be a delayed start to the game. The chances of rain are expected to go down thereafter and most importantly, the sun is likely to make its presence felt. Even the clouds are forecasted to stay away. The temperature will be around the 14 degrees Celsius mark with the humidity in the 60s and 70s.

Pitch Report

The venue is set to be hosting its first ODI since the 1999 World Cup. Back then it was an excellent one for batting. In the last five List A games, the average score was 315 and the numbers pretty much throw some light on the nature of the strip. While only two of the games were won by the chasing teams, teams may still opt to field first bearing in mind the weather conditions.

Playing combinations

Afghanistan

The Afghans are likely to include Noor Ali Zadran in the eleven. He is likely to replace Mohammad Shahzad, who has been ruled out of the tournament owing to a knee injury. He is set to open with Hazratullah Zazai. A lot would depend on Shahidi and Rahmat Shah in the middle order. Shah may don the keeper’s gloves as well as Ikram Ali Khil, Shahzad’s replacement may miss out due to jet-lag.

Mohammad Nabi has been good with the ball, but the veteran is yet to deliver with the bat. Najibullah Zadran has arguably been the Afghan’s most consistent batsman and he’ll be a key factor as well. Mujeeb Ur Rahman will want to make amends after a couple of lacklustre outings.

Probable XI

Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah (WK), Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib (C), Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

New Zealand

The Black Caps didn’t change their winning combination versus the Tigers and are unlikely to make any alterations for the next game as well. Both their openers- Guptill and Munro- are in good form. Captain Kane scored 40 last time, but he wasn’t fluent and could only manage one boundary off 70 deliveries. Ross Taylor scored 82 and can do more damage to the oppositions going forward.

Latham will want to change his fortunes after bagging the four-ball duck. All three all-rounders- De Grandhomme, Nesham, and Santner- may play. Matt Henry already has seven wickets in two games and is in a good rhythm. Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson have bowled with pace and aggression as well.

Probable XI

Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.

Probable Top Performer

Rahmat Shah– Afghanistan  | Trent Boult – New Zealand

Broadcast Details

TV – Star Sports

Online– Hotstar

Match Timings – 18:00 IST; 13:30 local

The prediction is for New Zealand to win the match.