Afghanistan vs New Zealand Prediction

AFG Team News

Afghanistan have been unchanged for their two matches so far and will have had no complaints about their bowling performance last time out. They will have to make at least one change, however, after Mohammad Shahzad was ruled out of the tournament due to injury. Ikram Ali Khil will replace him. There may be other changes on the batting front, however, after their two opening defeats. Noor Ali Zadran and Asghar Afghan are waiting in the wings if so. Promoting Najibullah Zadran up the order is another option.

AFG Key Players

Mohammad Nabi turned the screw against Sri Lanka last time out and, but for the rain delay that halted their momentum, Afghanistan might have gone on to win. Nabi claimed 4-30 from nine overs, backed up by superstar Rashid Khan’s 2-17.

Both have blazed a trail for Afghan stars in global cricket, starring across the globe, and both can score runs on their day too.

Afghanistan’s top batsman so far, however, has been Najibullah Zadran – who hit 51 against Australia and 43 against Sri Lanka.

Hazratullah Zazai showed flashes of his best form last time out, hitting 30 at the top of the order. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi have been in good batting form recently as well.

AFG Team Form

Afghanistan have lost both of their opening games at the World Cup, falling short with the bat on both occasions. Against Australia, they lost both openers inside eight balls and eventually fell to 207 all out and a seven-wicket loss despite Najibullah Zadran’s half-century lifting them to a more competitive score.

Last time out, meanwhile, Mohammad Nabi’s 4-30 sparked a Sri Lankan batting collapse from 144/1 to 201 all out but again the batsmen fell short. Najibullah’s 43 was the top score as Afghanistan fell to 152 all out.