Afghanistan and New Zealand will lock their horns for their third World Cup match at The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton on Saturday. This game going to be a thriller as New Zealand started the World Cup campaign with back-to-back wins first by thrashing Sri Lanka by ten wickets and then overcoming Bangladesh with a two-wicket win. On the other hand, Afghanistan is still searching for their first World Cup win as they lost both matches so far against Australia and Sri Lanka.
New Zealand, runners-up in the 2015 edition kick-started the tournament with the two wins in two with the likes of Martin Guptill, Colin Munro and Ross Taylor at the top, can take on any bowler in the world at the ease. While on the other hand Afghan batsman Najibullah Zadran is the only player who crossed the 40-plus mark twice while Rahmat Shah and Hazratullah Zazai played some good innings so far.
On the other hand, looking at their bowling New Zealand has premium pacers than Afghanistan and are well equipped looking at the conditions in England. Moreover, the Black Caps trio Matt Henry, Trent Boult, and Lockie Ferguson are expected to derail the Afghan's batting lineup along with lone spinner Mitchell Santner. On the other hand, Afghanistan is well equipped with best world class spinners like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman where they have the ability to pick wickets on any conditions while they are well supported with
Afghanistan and New Zealand will lock their horns for their third World Cup match at The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton on Saturday. This game going to be a thriller as New Zealand started the World Cup campaign with back-to-back wins first by thrashing Sri Lanka by ten wickets and then overcoming Bangladesh with a two-wicket win. On the other hand, Afghanistan is still searching for their first World Cup win as they lost both matches so far against Australia and Sri Lanka.
New Zealand, runners-up in the 2015 edition kick-started the tournament with the two wins in two with the likes of Martin Guptill, Colin Munro and Ross Taylor at the top, can take on any bowler in the world at the ease. While on the other hand Afghan batsman Najibullah Zadran is the only player who crossed the 40-plus mark twice while Rahmat Shah and Hazratullah Zazai played some good innings so far.
On the other hand, looking at their bowling New Zealand has premium pacers than Afghanistan and are well equipped looking at the conditions in England. Moreover, the Black Caps trio Matt Henry, Trent Boult, and Lockie Ferguson are expected to derail the Afghan's batting lineup along with lone spinner Mitchell Santner. On the other hand, Afghanistan is well equipped with best world class spinners like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman where they have the ability to pick wickets on any conditions while they are well supported with the pacers like Dawlat Zadran and Hamid Hassan. Overall, looking at the contest it's going to be pacers vs. spinners at Taunton.
Update: Mohammad Shahzad has been ruled out of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 with a knee injury. Ikram Ali Khil, the left-handed wicket-keeper batsman has been named as a replacement.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-Keeper: Tom Latham (8.5 credits): Since Mohammad Shahzad has been ruled out of World Cup 2019, the only available quality option to choose is Latham who has been in good form, as he averages 32 in 2019 with two half-centuries already to his name. His form and experience gives him the edge over Afghan's Ikram Ali Khil. Moreover, he could be a dark horse today.
Batsman: Ross Taylor (10 credits): Taylor has been in red-hot form in 2019, as he averages 75 and also smashed one century and five half-centuries. He has been New Zealand's run-machine over the years and he will look to continue his form in a game against Afghanistan as he recently smashed 82 in his previous World Cup against Bangladesh. Must have player.
All-Rounder: Mohammad Nabi (9.5 credits): Nabi has not been great with the bat over the past two matches but, with the ball in hand, he claimed four wickets against Sri Lanka in his last match. Overall, looking at his form in 2019, he's averaging 25 with the bat to go with eight wickets to his name. Looking at Afghanistan's woes, he could fill his boots against New Zealand for their first win.
Bowler: Trent Boult (9 credits): A good track record against Afghanistan where he played just one match and picked three wickets. Moreover, looking at his form in 2019 in 12 matches he picked 24 wickets at an economy of 4.57 out of which three wickets are from this World Cup. He must be your top in-form bowler pick for this match.
Captain: Ross Taylor
Vice-Captain: Trent Boult
Predicted Playing XI:
Afghanistan: Ikram Ali Khil (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Gulbadin Naib (C), Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (WK), Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
