Web masters: The Afghanistan spin trio of Mujeeb, Nabi and Rashid will try to bamboozle the Kiwis.
| Photo Credit: VEDHAN M
Afghanistan gamers, with the wind behind their sails after beating England comprehensively two days in the past, will look to build on solely its second World Cup win when it takes on New Zealand on the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday.
More than the consequence, what was spectacular about Afghanistan’s 69-run win in Delhi on Sunday was the way it outplayed the defending champion and at all times had its nostril forward all through the match.
Right from Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s brutal onslaught on the high of the order — as he and Ibrahim Zadran added 114-run for the opening wicket — Afghanistan got here out all weapons blazing earlier than its spinners spun an internet across the English batters.
After being bundled out cheaply in its first match towards Bangladesh, Afghanistan batters had far more disciplined performances within the two video games towards India and England, albeit on probably the most batting-friendly pitches seen to this point within the match.
At the identical time, the facet will even remember that it left runs on the desk within the final two matches because it misplaced wickets in a cluster throughout the center part of the innings. Ahead of the match towards the Kiwis, the Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi cited it as an space the staff wants to work on. If it might probably put the runs on board, the staff has a great depth in bowling to bother most groups on its day.
Meanwhile, New Zealand, as soon as once more with out skipper Kane Williamson, will look to proceed its march and maintain its unbeaten report. The staff has gone about its enterprise in its inimitable type, with nearly each participant delivering to this point of their well-defined roles.
Ability to strike
The key to the Black Caps’ three wins has been their means to take wickets by means of the center part, with the likes of Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson coming good.
While the Tom Latham-led facet will probably be cautious of the spin risk of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi, New Zealand will nonetheless really feel it holds the sting, having been within the metropolis for the final week and having a great learn of the situations.
