October 18, 2023
In a riveting showdown set amidst the grand stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, New Zealand gears up to face a resurgent Afghan side, and the cricketing world is buzzing with excitement. With real-time score updates and detailed statistics, we bring you every thrilling moment of the New Zealand vs. Afghanistan clash.
The Kane Williamson Conundrum: New Zealand enters this epic battle with a notable absence. Their talismanic captain, Kane Williamson, recently suffered an unfortunate thumb injury that will keep him sidelined until the latter stages of the World Cup. As the runners-up of the past two World Cup editions, the Kiwis have much at stake. They aim to reclaim the top spot in the ODI World Cup 2023, a position currently held by India. But standing in their way is a rejuvenated Afghanistan side, fresh from an upset victory against England.
The Venue & Spin Challenge: This high-stakes encounter is set to unravel at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 18, Wednesday. The pitch is expected to offer substantial assistance to spinners, further enhancing Afghanistan’s reputation as a formidable spin unit. The toss is scheduled for 1:30 PM IST, followed by live action commencing at 02:00 PM IST.
New Zealand vs. Afghanistan Head-to-Head: The historical record between New Zealand and Afghanistan is a testament to the Kiwis’ dominance. Having faced each other twice, the Black Caps emerged victorious on both occasions. In the 2019 World Cup, New Zealand clinched a convincing victory by 7 wickets, and in the 2015 World Cup, they outperformed Afghanistan, securing a 6-wicket win.
The Likely XIs: Here are the probable lineups for this epic battle:
New Zealand:
• Devon Conway
• Mitchell Santner
• DJ Mitchell
• Rachin Ravindra
• MS Chapman
• Tom Latham (C)
• Glenn Phillips
• LH Ferguson
• MJ Henry
• Trent Boult
• Ish Sodhi
Afghanistan:
• Hashmatullah Shahidi (C)
• Ibrahim Zadran
• R Shah
• Mohammad Nabi
• Azmatullah Omarzai
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz
• IA Khil (wk)
• Rashid Khan
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman
• Fazalhaq Farooqi
• Naveen-ul-Haq
This epic showdown promises to be a thrilling battle of wits and skills, where New Zealand seeks to continue its World Cup journey with a win against a spirited Afghan side. Stay tuned for live updates and be part of this exciting cricketing saga! 🏏🔥 #NZvsAFG #CricketWorldCup #LiveScoreUpdates #EpicBattle https://www.sportiwe.com/
