New Zealand and Afghanistan will face each other in the 16th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on October 18 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. New Zealand are unbeaten in the tournament so far, having won their first three matches against England, Netherlands, and Bangladesh. Afghanistan have pulled off a stunning upset over England mecca bingo online in their previous match, thanks to a brilliant knock by Rahmanullah Gurbaz and a superb bowling performance by their spinners.

Both teams will be looking to continue their momentum and secure a crucial win in this match.

New Zealand

New Zealand have shown their strength and depth in all departments of the game in this World Cup. Their batting lineup is led by opener Devon Conway, who has scored 229 runs in three matches at an average of 1141. He is supported by Daryl Mitchell, who has amassed 333 runs in seven matches at an average of 83.25. Their middle-order consists of experienced players like Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, and Mark Chapman, who can accelerate the scoring rate when needed.

Their bowling attack is spearheaded by Matt Henry, who has taken eight wickets at an economy rate of 4.23. He is complemented by the left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who also has eight wickets to his name. The pace duo of Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult can also trouble any batting lineup with their speed and swing.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan have proved that they are not here to make up the numbers, but to compete with the best teams in the world.

Their victory over England was a historic moment for them and for cricket lovers everywhere. Their batting revolves around the explosive Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who smashed 80 runs off 57 balls against England. He is partnered by Ibrahim Zadran, who has a solid record in ODI cricket with 550 runs in 14 innings at an average of 42.30. Their captain Hashmatullah Shahidi is a reliable batsman who can anchor the innings and also score quickly when required.

He scored a half-century against New Zealand in their last meeting. Their bowling is their main weapon, with the spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi capable of bamboozling any opposition. They are backed up by the young pacers Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi, who have shown good skills and temperament.

Match Preview and Prediction

The match between New Zealand and Afghanistan promises to be an exciting contest between two contrasting styles of cricket.

New Zealand will rely on their balanced and consistent performance, while Afghanistan will bank on their fearless and unpredictable approach. The pitch at Chennai is expected to favor the spinners, which could give Afghanistan an edge. However, New Zealand have also shown that they can adapt to any conditions and play smart cricket. The weather is likely to be hot and humid, which could test the fitness and stamina of both teams.

Based on the current form and results, New Zealand are the favorites to win this match.