(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] New Zealand will bump heads with Afghanistan in the 16th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on October 18 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Sitting comfortably on the points table at second position with three wins and zero losses, New Zealand have again swooped in to the knockout picture in an ICC event, not that they have qualified, but most likely will, considering they now practically need to win more more matches in the remaining seven.
Their upcoming clash is scheduled against Afghanistan. You would expect them to make it four on four. But wait!
Afghanistan have just killed a giant. The reigning defending champions were thwarted recently. England, who are counted as one of the favourites to win the World Cup, were pushed aside by Afghanistan, heavily denting their chances to qualify for the knockouts.
As much as good the Kiwis are, they need to be wary of the giant killer Afghanistan, especially because they have spinners to wreak havoc in Chennai, where the fixture is slated.
In what is another worry for the Black Caps, their skipper Kane Williamson is injured again. This time it is not the knee but the thumb. He was hit flush on the gloves while stealing a run in New Zealand’s last game.
His comeback match culminated not so well for him, although he scored 78 runs, as he will not take any further part in the group stage of the ongoing tournament at minimum with the knockouts also looking doubtful.
Tom Blundell has been called in as his cover. Tom Latham will don back the captaincy hat.
New Zealand will be forced to again open with Will Young, who got dropped after Williamson’s return, and Rachin Ravindra will most likely be pushed down to number three.
Still, as the things are boiling out, New Zealand are miles ahead of Afghanistan on paper, but on a given day, Afghanistan can spoil anyone’s party.