T20 World Cup 2021: Match 40, New Zealand vs Afghanistan Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match?

Preview

New Zealand and Afghanistan are set to cross swords in Match No.40 of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021 on Sunday, November 7 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The Kane Williamson-led Black Caps are on a three-match winning streak after having recovered from their initial defeat against Pakistan.

While a victory would help them qualify for the semi-final, a loss would knock them out of the T20 competition due to their inferior net run rate compared to Afghanistan and India. The Afghans, placed fourth, are also in a must-win scenario after they slumped to a 66-run loss at the hands of Team India.

Match Details

Match – New Zealand vs Afghanistan – Match 40

Venue – Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Time – 03:30 PM IST, 10:00 AM GMT

Where to watch live – Star Sports Network

Pitch Report

The pitch in Abu Dhabi has been a fairly sporting one. The batters have got a lot of runs, but the bowlers have also extracted quite a bit off the surface. Batting first and putting runs on the board should be the preferred option for both teams in the crunch game.

Average first innings score: 145 (12 T20Is in Abu Dhabi in T20 World Cup 2021)

Record of Chasing teams: Won – 7, Lost – 5, Tied – 0

Probable Playing XIs

New Zealand

Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway (wk), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult

Bench: Tim Seifert, Kyle Jamieson, Todd Astle, Mark Chapman

Afghanistan

Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi (c), Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Sharafuddin Ashraf/Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Hamid Hassan

Bench: Usman Ghani, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Fareed Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman/Sharafuddin Ashraf

Head-to-head

New Zealand and Afghanistan are yet to face each other in T20Is.

Probable best batter of the match

Kane Williamson (New Zealand)

Kane Williamson hasn’t quite looked at his very best in the ongoing World Cup. The Black Caps’ skipper has scored only 86 runs at an average of 28.66 and a strike rate of 100. Despite his lack of form, one may expect him to do well against the Afghans. Williamson is familiar with Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi’s style of bowling and his experience could come in handy for the Kiwis.

Probable best bowler of the match

Trent Boult (New Zealand)

Trent Boult has been outstanding for New Zealand in the T20 World Cup thus far. The left-hander is currently the leading wicket-taker for the Black Caps with eight scalps from four games. The economy rate of 6.25 suggests that the speedster has been able to keep a check on the run-scoring. The Afghan batters need to play Boult with a bit of caution.

Today’s match prediction: New Zealand to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.