NZ vs AFG Match Prediction & Betting Tips, T20 World Cup 2024
New Zealand will take on Afghanistan in the 14th game of the T20 World Cup 2024. The game will be played at the Providence Stadium, Guyana and will start at 5:00 AM IST on June 8
New Zealand have been one of the most consistent teams in ICC events. Even though the team is yet to a win an ICC tournament, they have reached the top 4 consistently. New Zealand are being deemed as one of the favourites for the title in this current addition too and would eye a winning start.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan might be below New Zealand in terms of rankings but the team is well capable to beat them on their day. Afghanistan were brilliant in the first game against Ugada and picked a massive win by 125 runs.
On paper, New Zealand have a better team but they are likely to face a strong challenge by Afghanistan spinners and how they cope up will probably decide the outcome of the match.
New Zealand vs Afghanistan Match Live Streaming
TV channels: You can watch this match live on Star Sports, PTV, Ten Sports, Willow TV, ESPN Caribbean, Sky Cricket, Sky Sport NZ and SuperSport.
Live Streaming: The fixture will be live-streamed on Disney+ Hotstar, Myco, Tamasha, ESPN Play Caribbean, SkyGO, NOW TV, Prime Video and SuperSport.
NZ vs AFG Match Toss Prediction
Chasing teams have enjoyed more success in the T20 World Cup thus both captains will be keen to chase.
NZ vs AFG Pitch Report
This is not an easy wicket to bat. The new ball has done a bit while the slow nature of the surface has made spinners look very threatening. Any score of 150-160 can be very challenging to chase.
Guyana Weather Report
There is rain predicted on the match day. The chances of precipitation stand at 80 percent so a curtailed game cannot be ruled out.
Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds, and match prediction for New Zealand vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup 2024
New Zealand Team News & Playing 11
NZ Team News
New Zealand rested all their big guns for the series against Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup, however, the likes of Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway and Trent Bout are back in the squad for the mega event.
NZ Key Players
- Rachin Ravindra – Ravindra was New Zealand’s top performer in ODI World Cup and would eye decent run in the T20 World Cup. He did not have a great run in IPL 2024 for CSK, however, we are expecting him to make a strong return in T20 World Cup.
- Kane Williamson – Kane Williamson will be vital for New Zealand this world cup. He is a class act and one of the best batters of this era. On wickets where bowlers are getting a lot of help, players like Williamson are worth gold.
- James Neesham – Neesham will add value to the side given his all-round skills. He can come in and play a quick-fire cameo in the final overs and also chip in with a few overs of fast bowling. His bowling especially will be handy on these wickets.
- Trent Boult – Boult will be vital for New Zealand. He comes into the tournament after an impressive run in the IPL where he bagged 16 wickets for Rajasthan Royals. Boult with the new ball will be absolutely critical for New Zealand.
NZ Team Form
New Zealand last played against Pakistan and drew the series 2-2.
New Zealand Predicted Playing 11
Kane Williamson (C), Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
Afghanistan Team News & Playing 11
AFG Team News
Afghanistan are unlikely to make changes to the combination that helped them pick a massive win over Uganda in their first game of the T20 World Cup 2024.
AFG Key Players
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Gurbaz made a thrilling start to the T20 World Cup 2024 and played a whirlwind innings of 75 in 45 balls. Gurbaz is a game changer for Afghanistan and will play a big role if Afghanistan have to see off New Zealand and register a win.
- Ibrahim Zadran – Ibrahim Zadran was also brilliant for Afghanistan and played a brilliant innings of 70. He is one batter who can be backed for consistency in the Afghanistan team and we are optimistic about him doing well against New Zealand as well.
- Rashid Khan – The kiwis can found spinners tough to face if there is grip and turn on offer, exactly how we expect the pitch to behave. Thus, Rashid Khan’s four overs could well decide the fate of Afghanistan against New Zealand. If Rashid have a good game, the chances of Afghanistan winning will increase manifold.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi – Fazalhaq Farooqi was brilliant against Uganda and bagged five wickets for nine runs. The performance came against a weak team like Uganda but it will give Farooqi great confidence which he can carry forward in the game against New Zealand.
AFG Team Form
Afghanistan hammered Uganda in the first game but New Zealand will pose a different threat altogether.
Afghanistan Predicted Playing 11
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan (c), Karim Janat, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, , Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
New Zealand vs Afghanistan Head to Head
New Zealand won the only T20I played between the two teams in the history of T20 cricket.
NZ vs AFG Head to Head Stats in T20s
| Matches Played | NZ Won | AFG Won | Tie | NR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Last 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
New Zealand vs Afghanistan Betting Odds
New Zealand are clear favourites to win. The team boast of a strong team and should be able to pick a win if they play to their potential.
Who will win New Zealand vs Afghanistan Match?
New Zealand will start the game as favourites. Afghanistan are a dangerous team but given the tough conditions, their batting looks shaky against a class bowling attack. If Afghanistan lose Gurbaz and Zadran early, they will be in big trouble. With someone like Boult in the team, New Zealand have a great chance of striking early.
