Cricket aficionados worldwide are in for a treat as New Zealand prepares to face Afghanistan in a much-anticipated clash at the ICC World Cup 2023. This 16th One Day International (ODI) match of the tournament is scheduled to unfold on the 18th of October, 2023, at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Promising a spectacular showdown under the floodlights, this day-night fixture is set to kick off at 2 PM local time, leaving fans buzzing with excitement.
A Quick Recap of Their Journey So Far:
The impending face-off marks the fourth match in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 for both New Zealand and Afghanistan. New Zealand embarked on their campaign with a resounding victory over England, where they secured a nine-wicket win with a staggering 82 balls remaining. This thrilling opener took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5, 2023. The Kiwis continued their triumphant run by defeating the Netherlands in their second encounter, clinching victory by an impressive margin of 99 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on October 9. Their recent success came against Bangladesh, as New Zealand emerged victorious with an eight-wicket win at the Chennai Stadium on October 13.
On the flip side, Afghanistan’s journey commenced with a loss to Bangladesh. In this encounter, held at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on October 7, 2023, Afghanistan suffered a six-wicket defeat with a substantial 92 balls remaining. Their second match saw them pitted against India, where the result mirrored their previous contest – an eight-wicket loss, this time at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on October 11. However, in a stunning turnaround, Afghanistan pulled off the tournament’s most significant upset by defeating England with a notable 69-run lead. This thrilling win unfolded at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on October 15.
Expected Lineups for New Zealand and Afghanistan:
The excitement for this upcoming match is further fueled by the anticipated lineups for both teams. Although the final selections are yet to be announced, here are the probable XIs for New Zealand and Afghanistan:
New Zealand Probable XI:
- Devon Conway
- Will Young
- Rachin Ravindra
- Tom Latham (captain, wicketkeeper)
- Daryl Mitchell
- Glenn Phillips
- Mark Chapman
- Mitchell Santner
- Mark Henry
- Lockie Ferguson
- Trent Boult
Afghanistan Probable XI:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmat Shah
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain)
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper)
- Rashid Khan
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Naveen-ul-Haq
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
Weather Conditions in Chennai:
As fans gear up for this enthralling contest, weather predictions for the match day indicate partly sunny conditions in Chennai. According to AccuWeather, there is a 25% probability of rainfall during the daytime and at night. Thunderstorms are not anticipated in the city over the next 24 hours. The temperature is expected to range between 32 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius. Winds are projected to blow at speeds of approximately 11 km/h in the north-east direction during the day and 09 km/h in the northeast at night. While the possibility of wind gusts reaching speeds of 15 km/h in the next 24 hours cannot be ruled out, cloud cover is expected to be at 47% during the daytime and 32% at night.
How to Catch the New Zealand vs Afghanistan Match:
For those eagerly awaiting this cricketing spectacle, fret not. The New Zealand vs Afghanistan match will be broadcast live on Indian television through Star Sports channels. Indian viewers can also relish the excitement of free live streaming on the Disney+Hotstar app and website. What’s more, the ICC has joined forces with the social media giant Meta, expanding the coverage of World Cup 2023 on platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Threads. Mark your calendars; the match is scheduled to commence at 2 PM, promising an enthralling face-off between New Zealand and Afghanistan.