Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

CWC 2019 Match 13: Afghanistan v New Zealand Preview Dream11. AFG vs NZ Dream11 Prediction

20 years.

The Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton hosted the last of its three ODIs way back in the 1999 World Cup. Sourav Ganguly was man of the match, as India hammered Sri Lanka by 157 runs.

To paint a picture, the Afghanistan Cricket Board was formed just four years earlier. The rise of Afghanistan cricket is something to behold, and the proof in the pudding is that their loss against Sri Lanka was seen as an upset in some parts. It was one of their more disappointing performances in recent times, which was unfortunate timing with a second victory in World Cups beckoning against struggling Sri Lanka. It wasn’t to be on Tuesday, but can they learn from their mistakes and put in a big effort on Saturday?

New Zealand will certainly be a big test. The Black Caps start as short favourites for the third time in a row in this tournament, after beating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. However, their performance against the Tigers on Wednesday was a bit of a wake up call, letting Bangladesh back into the game when victory looked assured. Certain matches in this tournament already have sent out warning shots against complacency, and there is little doubt New Zealand will want a more polished performance here ahead of some huge games.

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Key to an Afghanistan win

Afghanistan lost to Sri Lanka by 34 runs. They conceded 35 extras, displaying a total lack of discipline that proved mighty costly. Nerves seemed to get the better of Gulbadin Naib’s men in a game many backed them to win, racking up as many as 24 extras inside the first 17 overs. The key question for Afghanistan is whether they can display the kind of discipline and intensity in the field as they did when they ripped through Sri Lanka’s middle order to cause a collapse of 9/57. Indeed, New Zealand’s batting offers greater resistance, but Afghanistan need to give themselves a chance with tight bowling that builds pressure, backed up by a much more polished fielding display.

Also, how well will Afghanistan hold up against New Zealand’s bowling attack? The Black Caps have started the tournament well with the ball, and will back themselves against a side that has lost early wickets in both their games. In a massive blow, Mohammad Shahzad has been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury, so significant onus is on Rahmat Shah to hold things together nicely at the top, setting a platform for Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi and the very impressive Najibullah Zadran. Can Afghanistan show some steel and bat long enough?

Key to a New Zealand win

A loose batting display against Bangladesh is an area to improve on for New Zealand. Martin Guptill and Colin Munro will be tasked with being attacking but selective, particularly against a side that will likely test them with spin right away. With Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor spending time in the middle last time out, New Zealand have the top order to lay the foundation. However, will the Black Caps’ middle order deliver the goods and gain some much-needed confidence? The battle between Hamid Hassan and Rashid Khan against New Zealand’s batsmen will be an interesting watch.

Also, New Zealand’s pace trio of Matt Henry, Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson have started the tournament in strong fashion. Henry leads the wicket-taking charts with seven after two matches, and he will be out to ensure New Zealand have no choice but to keep him in the side even when Tim Southee is fit. Kane Williamson will be out for damage via Trent Boult’s movement and Lockie Ferguson’s pace against an Afghanistan side that needs to have a better day with the bat. With the wily Mitchell Santner to turn to for control, New Zealand can look to attack.

Pitch and conditions

Gloomy conditions will be the case in the morning in Taunton, which should clear mostly by the afternoon. A good batting batting pitch is expected, of which the Afghans will hope aids spin. Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi took a combined six wickets against Sri Lanka.

Possible Playing 11

Opinion: Najibullah Zadran should bat higher up the order for Afghanistan. With Mohammad Shahzad out, teenager Ikram Ali Khil should come in to take the gloves. Whether he opens remains to be seen.

Afghanistan: 1. Ikram Ali Khil (wk), 2. Hazratullah Zazai, 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Hashmatullah Shahidi, 5. Najibullah Zadran, 6. Mohammad Nabi, 7. Gulbadin Naib (c), 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Dawlat Zadran, 10. Hamid Hassan, 11. Mujeeb ur Rahman

Opinion: Tom Latham needs to play well with Tom Blundell waiting in the wings. Also, it remains to be seen if Henry Nicholls is fit enough for a return.

New Zealand: 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Henry Nicholls/Colin Munro, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Tom Latham (wk), 6. Jimmy Neesham, 7. Colin de Grandhomme, 8. Mitchell Santner, 9. Matt Henry, 10. Lockie Ferguson, 11. Trent Boult

Dream11 Prediction

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Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

• This will be just the second ODI between the two teams.
• New Zealand won the 2015 World Cup match vs Afghanistan by six wickets.
• Najibullah Zadran made a half century for Afghanistan in that match.
• Matt Henry currently leads the CWC 2019 wicket taking chart with seven. Trent Boult reached 150 ODI wickets in the last game.

Match Prediction

Afghanistan will show fight, as they always do.

However, New Zealand have too much experience and class. The Black Caps should win this one.

Thanks for reading!

Also, be sure check out my series of “five key talking points” from every CWC 2019 match! The latest:

Australia v West Indies: Coulter-Nile for PM!

India v South Africa: India start with a win + why I say sorry to SA fans!

Afghanistan v Sri Lanka: SL escape in missed opportunity for Afghanistan

Download: Making cricket an interactive experience! Discover Harrison Cricket Apps ODI version.