New Zealand vs Afghanistan: Pitch talk
Plenty of focus will be on the conditions at the MCG. If India vs Pakistan is an indication, there was pace and swing on offer which would certainly please New Zealand. England vs Ireland, going on right now, has seen bit of rain which makes things even more appealing for the fast bowlers.
“I believe we’re in a new strip again. It looked like there was a bit of pace and a bit of bounce in the surface, which is always exciting as a fast bowler,” said Trent Boult.
New Zealand vs Afghanistan TEAM NEWS
New Zealand camp: Daryl Mitchell completed his training successfully coming into the contest and will be available. Remains to be seen whether he comes right back into the playing XI
Afghanistan: No reported issues for the Mohammad Nabi-led side
New Zealand vs Afghanistan Head-to-head
New Zealand and Afghanistan have only ever faced off in one T20I and it came at the 2021 World Cup. New Zealand won that match by 8 wickets with 11 balls to spare. On that day, Afghanistan scored 124 which was chased down comfortably by the Black Caps. Kane Williamson scored an unbeaten 40 from 42 balls and Devon Conway added 36 from 32 balls
New Zealand vs Afghanistan
Second fixture of the T20 World Cup for both New Zealand and Afghanistan. Contrast results in their first. New Zealand thoroughly thrashed Australia to win by 89 runs. Elsewhere, Afghanistan were dismissed for a low total and then lost by 5 wickets to England. To Afghanistan’s, things could have been worse but for the bowlers containing England and keeping the negative net run rate down.