New Zealand
Match Complete
Afghanistan
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New Zealand will be looking to back up their brilliant performance against Australia when they face Afghanistan in the second match of their T20 World Cup campaign. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7pm (AEDT).
Afghanistan enters this match on the back of being defeated by England out west in Perth, in a game that was tighter than many may have predicted before the match and definitely at the end of their batting innings.
The Afghanistan bowling attack managed to put pressure on the vaunted English line-up, even when defending a small total, which says a lot about their skill and tenacity.
Unfortunately, the Afghani fielding efforts were not quite up to the same level; and as a result, the English batsman were able to get second chances and find boundaries just as pressure was building. However,they’ll be confident that if their batting can manage to get them a total of roughly 160 then they’ll be right in with a chance to defend it.
160 would be a tall task for the Afghanistan batting lineup in today’s game, with New Zealand arguably blessed with a bowling attack that may be even better than England’s. Sam Curran was the major thorn in Afghanistan’s side, taking 5/10 in Perth, and New Zealand has Trent Boult who is even more dangerous as a left-arm quick.
Additionally, it looks like New Zealand will get to field their first-choice XI, with Daryl Mitchell having recovered from his fractured finger and most likely back into this side, and slotting into the middle order in place of Mark Chapman.
Unlike Afghanistan, the Black Caps also come into this match with momentum, having managed a huge upset victory against Australia by a whopping 89 runs, on the back of an all-round amazing performance.
Prediction
It’s impossible to pick against New Zealand after seeing the kind of performance they produced in all facets of the game just a few short days ago.
I think the Black Caps claim their second win, and place themselves in the box seat to qualify for the final four.
Game information
Venue: MCG
First ball: 7pm (AEDT)
TV: Fox Cricket
Live stream: Kayo Sports
Odds: New Zealand $1.19, Afghanistan $4.75 – odds via PlayUp
Squads
New Zealand
Kane Williamson (c), Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Adam Milne, Martin Guptill, Lachlan Ferguson, Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Trent Boult, Finn Allen
Afghanistan
Mohammad Nabi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Darwish Rasooli, Farid Ahmad Malik, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Hazratullah Zazai, Ibrahim Zadran, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Najibullah Zadran, Naveen-ul-Haq, Qais Ahmad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, Salim Safi, Usman Ghani.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Oh was it Djibouti?
Rellum
Roar Guru
Your D's and B's are important :stoked:
Republican
Guest
NZ will still take the WC spoils. Easily the best T20 form of any in this tournament. Mother Albion to bounce back v Oz with a convincing victory Friday pm.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
I thought it was a giant sea creature that destroyed ships and Carribean pirates?
Bob
Guest
This dsl systems is the worst system that could have ever come to cricket it’s like a big build up for that bolics takes the fun out of the game no one wznts to see a simulated end don’t you think you would check the weather for the event and had a ground appropriate for the weather on the day 3 times in 2 days pretty hopeless if you ask me
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Very disappointing for the Kiwis, they could have really pulled away at the top there after England lost. 1 point unlikely to help them much, but I guess it’s better than nothing.
Pravin Manivannan
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, the match has been abandoned without a ball bowled as the MCG looks less like a cricket ground and more like a wading pool. This results in NZ and Afghanistan sharing 1 point each and brings the group of death even closer to each other on the ladder.
Rellum
Roar Guru
The squib I know is an explosive device that shoots out fake blood. Not sure if that is the same one
Pravin Manivannan
Roar Rookie
Well, the covers came off for a little while there and hope was starting to bloom of some sort of game getting underway. And as soon as that hope started to manifest within our hearts, the Melbourne weather kills it with haste as the rain returned.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Can anyone tell me what a squib is? And a damp one at that?
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Great win but really it's only against England.
Gary David
Roar Rookie
Rain helping out Australia massively today! Possibly prevented England winning, now looking like taking a point off New Zealand.
Pravin Manivannan
Roar Rookie
Seriously questioning why MARVEL stadium is not being used in the World Cup, has a capacity greater than the SCG, and is roofed.
Pravin Manivannan
Roar Rookie
An inspection is scheduled for about 25 mins from now, but the likelihoods of getting some sort of game underway are very minimal, and it looks like more rain is to come. How the conditions stand at 9 pm AEDT may be where a decision is made.
Pravin Manivannan
Roar Rookie
And just as I say that, the rain has returned and the covers are being pulled back on.
Pravin Manivannan
Roar Rookie
It is confirmed, we are now losing overs. The covers have just come off and the rain has subsided enough that if the ground gets adequately drained and the covers off, the game could be started. An inspection is expected at about 8:20pm AEDT.
Pravin Manivannan
Roar Rookie
It's, unfortunately, looking likely that we'll be losing overs at the very least. Hopefully, we do get at least a shortened game though.
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
Here’s hoping for a result either way. What they wouldn’t give to be playing a few km’s away, under the roof!
Pravin Manivannan
Roar Rookie
Both teams have emerged onto the ground and the ground staff has begun trying to get the outfield dried up and the square ready for match use. It looks like we have at least half an hour before any decision is made and gameplay begins.
Pravin Manivannan
Roar Rookie
The covers are still on, but the rain seems to have subsided. Hopefully the ground staff can get this ground prepared quickly and the game can get on as still a 20 over a side game.