T20 World Cup 2021: Match 40 – New Zealand vs Afghanistan Match Preview, Playing XI and broadcast details

This is a match that will have the rapt attention of the Indian cricket fans. India are not even playing in this contest, but this match is crucial for the fortunes of the Indian side in the tournament, as New Zealand and Afghanistan will battle it out in Match No. 40 of the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup.

New Zealand have their destiny in their own hands. A win in their final Super 12 Group stage match will take them through to the semifinals. The Kiwis have already won 3 out of their 4 matches in the tournament, and all that they need to do is post a win to qualify for the knockout stages.

In their previous match, the Black Caps thrashed the Namibia outfit by 52 runs. Glenn Phillips top-scored with a classy 39* off 21 deliveries for his side as New Zealand posted a total of 163/4.  In reply, the Namibia side only managed to score 111/7 in their 20-over quota.

The Afghanistan side is currently placed at the 4th spot in the points table, having won 2 out of their 4 rubbers. Mohammad Nabi and his men were thrashed by the Indian side in their previous match by 66 runs.

Batting first, Virat Kohli’s boys posted a mammoth total of 210/2, with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul plundering blistering half-centuries. Afghanistan could only post a total of 144/7 in reply, as Mohammad Nabi and his boys were hammered by the Indian side.

Afghanistan will compulsorily need to post a win to stay alive in the tournament. While New Zealand will start as favourites, Afghanistan certainly cannot be taken lightly. Also, a win for New Zealand means that India and Afghanistan are out of the tournament, while a win for Afghanistan will keep India, New Zealand, and Afghanistan alive, and THAT THING called Net Run Rate will come into play after that.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at Abu Dhabi is a good one for batting, and the batters can score runs if they can spend time on this pitch. The spinners can also cause some trouble to the willow wielders if they can hit the right areas.

Playing Combinations for New Zealand vs Afghanistan

New Zealand

New Zealand will go in with an unchanged playing XI for this clash.

Predicted XI: Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (C), Devon Conway (WK), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult

Afghanistan

If Mujeeb Ur Rahman is fit, he will replace Sharafuddin Ashraf in the playing XI. The rest of the line-up will remain unchanged.

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

New Zealand vs Afghanistan Head-to-Head

This will be the first meeting between the two sides in T20I cricket.

New Zealand vs Afghanistan Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 03:30 PM IST

TV – Star Sports Network

Live Streaming – Disney+Hotstar