New Zealand's tough test against Afghan's spin army   

Betting Odds

Our Predictions 

• Devon Conway has odds of 3.16 to be the best batsman for New Zealand.  
• Ibrahim Zadran has odds of 4.01 to be Afghanistan's best batsman. 
• Trent Boult has odds of 3.43 to be New Zealand's best bowler.  
• Rashid Khan has odds of 2.73 to be the best bowler for Afghanistan.  

MATCH PREVIEW     

We are set up for a good contest as New Zealand takes on Afghanistan in the 16th ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 game. New Zealand hasn't put a step wrong, and the side comes here with a massive win against Bangladesh. Key players on the side look in excellent shape for this game. Afghanistan won one of their most incredible wins, defeating the World Champions England convincingly in the last game. While New Zealand has the odds in their favor and will start favorites on most betting apps, the Afghan spin attack will test them. As the conditions suit the Afghan side more in this game, we shall see a good contest where one team looks for supremacy while the other establishes its giant-killer face.  

New Zealand Preview      

Tom Latham would retake charge of the side as skipper Kane Williamson suffered an injury in the last. Williamson's fitness has been the only concern for the Kiwis, who have otherwise been in excellent form. Betting sites see them as one of the contenders for the title. They defeated Bangladesh by eight wickets in the last game. Latham would like to continue with the same form and expect a good show from his batters against Afghanistan's spinners.  

Devon Conway is in good form, and the side will like a good show from him and Will Young in this game at the top. Rachin Ravindra has done well and has a vital role in the middle order, with Darryl Mitchell and Tom Latham as the Afghan spinners will look to outfox them. The side will expect a good show from Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, and Mitchell Santner in the lower middle order.  

The side will need a good start from Trent Boult and Matt Henry with the new ball, as it will be another low-scoring game as the ball has kept low. Mitchell Santner and Ravindra are key bowlers for the side in these conditions and must use the track to their advantage in this game. The side will also need good spells from Glenn Phillips and Lockie Ferguson.  

Expected Starting XI for New Zealand     

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

Afghanistan Preview      

Hashmatullah Shahidi's side went above all cricket betting tips to defeat the defending champions by 69 runs in the last game. It was no fluke, as the Afghans outplayed the Englishmen in both departments. The conditions favored them, and they took full advantage of it against England. The track in Chennai will also be to their liking, and Shahidi would like his team to use it and make a stake for a place in the Top 4.  

Rahmanullah Gurbaz played an entertaining knock in the last game and will look to deliver a positive start with Ibrahim Zadran. The middle order hasn't found its form, and the side will need a good show from Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmat Shah, and Ikram Alikhil in the middle order. Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan are good finishers and will look to put up quick runs in the lower middle order.  

The Afghan bowlers ticked all the boxes in the last game and will look to make good use of the conditions in Chennai. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi must deliver early wickets, as the Kiwis are in excellent form with the bat. Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan made the English batters appear clueless in the last game, and the pair will look to continue with the same form. Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai add depth to this attack, making it strong.  

Expected Starting XI for Afghanistan      

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

TOSS: To Bat First      

We have seen two low-scoring games at the venue, and it has been a challenging track to bat on. Batting under the lights will be challenging as the ball moves and turns. The side winning the toss in this game won't hesitate to bat first and aim at putting up a big score on the board.   

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

We expect clear skies over Chennai. This wicket has underlying slowness that makes it difficult to score runs. Batsmen must build on building partnerships instead of trying to go after the bowlers. The side batting first shall be happy to have 280 runs on the board in this game.  

OUR PREDICTION      

Afghanistan's bowlers come here with their tails up. However, the side has battled inconsistency in the past, and they will face a team at the top of their game in this game. New Zealand have their key players in good form and have the resources with the bat and the ball to take on the confident Afghans. We expect a close game, but New Zealand has the edge according to our ICC World Cup betting guide.  

Our Prediction is for New Zealand to win.