New Zealand vs Afghanistan Prediction: New Zealand have been spotless in the tournament but Afghanistan has hunted down England in their last game

New Zealand and Afghanistan are going head to head in the 16th game of the ICC World Cup 2023 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru Urban, India on 18th October. New Zealand have been spotless in the tournament but Afghanistan has hunted down England in their last game. Who will win this game?

New Zealand form

New Zealand consistently manages to hit its peak form during World Cup events, and this year's edition appears to be no exception. The Black Caps have secured victories in all three of their matches thus far, firmly positioning themselves in the top four.

Nevertheless, it's important to remember that the tournament is still in its early stages, and there's no room for complacency.

New Zealand has excelled in every aspect of the game, evident in the significant winning margins they have achieved up to this point. Devon Conway, drawing on his IPL experience, has been in outstanding form, leading the team in run-scoring. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra have provided valuable support at the top of the order.

In his first match of the tournament on Friday, Kane Williamson played a superb innings, amassing 78 runs. Unfortunately, an injury to his thumb forced him to retire prematurely. Daryl Mitchell, known for his powerful hitting, has lived up to expectations and will play a crucial role in the middle order, alongside Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips.

Regarding the bowling department, Matt Henry has excelled with the new ball, taking eight wickets. He will receive support from Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson. New Zealand has placed significant reliance on Mitchell Santner to deliver in the spin department, and he has consistently met those expectations.

The primary challenge for New Zealand will be countering Afghanistan's formidable spin-trio. If they can successfully navigate this obstacle, the Kiwis should find themselves in an advantageous position with four victories out of four.

New Zealand Predicted Lineup

Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (c, wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

Afghanistan form

Afghanistan's performance in the World Cup had been underwhelming until this weekend, suffering back-to-back defeats against Bangladesh and India. Most cricket betting sites had foreseen a similar outcome when they faced the defending champions at a high-scoring venue on Sunday.

However, Afghanistan showcased excellent cricket to achieve a remarkable upset by defeating England, marking one of the most significant surprises in recent World Cup history. This victory marks only the second time Afghanistan has won a World Cup match, with the first one dating back to 2015 when they triumphed against Scotland.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran established a century partnership, their third this year, laying the groundwork for a substantial total. Nonetheless, the inconsistency of the middle-order batsmen continues to be a stumbling block for Afghanistan's prospects. Ikram Alikhil and Rahmat Shah must rise to the occasion and contribute runs in this match.

The significance of top-order runs is evident, and they will face a stern test against New Zealand's formidable bowlers. Anticipate another aggressive spell of short-pitched deliveries from Lockie Ferguson, aimed at the Afghan players.

Afghanistan possesses talented all-rounders in Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi, adding depth to their batting lineup. Afghanistan's renowned spin attack, which had a relatively subdued start, finally hit its stride, accounting for eight wickets. Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman each captured three wickets and will once again be the linchpin of their bowling attack. On the downside, the pace department remains a weakness.

If, and it's a significant if, Chennai's conditions favor the spinners, Afghanistan will enter this match with the belief that they can secure a victory.

Afghanistan Predicted Lineup

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Expert betting tips

The team that wins the toss is expected to choose to field first. The previous game at Chennai resulted in a low-scoring match due to a somewhat softer pitch, but the most recent match at this venue showcased a firmer surface. Initially, there may be some seam movement for the fast bowlers, but as the match progresses, conditions are likely to become more favorable for batting.

A competitive score on this pitch is approximately 280 runs.

The weather is expected to remain warm and humid, and dew could become a factor during the second innings. Afghanistan's recent victory has certainly boosted their confidence, but it is our belief that they are outmatched by New Zealand's overall strength. Consider placing bets on Afghanistan only if the pitch appears notably slow and conducive to spin.

Our recommendation is to bet on New Zealand for the win.