The two sides have never faced each other apart from two ODI matches are ready to match wits as if they have been at it for generations. In addition to fans of these two teams, the match will be closely followed by bountiful Indian fans as the result will affect their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals. The Blackcaps and Afghans are all set to lock horns in an unmissable encounter. The following article provides an insightful preview of the New Zealand vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup match.
New Zealand vs Afghanistan Head-to-Head Records
New Zealand and Afghanistan haven’t played a T20I against each other to date. Set to lock horns against each other in the shortest format for the first time, no head-to-head numbers are available for this match. In conclusion, their match at Abu Dhabi on Sunday will mark their first-ever T20I encounter.
Journey in the Tournament
Williamson and his men kicked off their campaign with a humbling defeat at the hands of the new and improved Pakistan. Their run was brought back to life by a landslide victory over India which lit a fire under the Kiwis. Following that, they had to toil hard for their victories against Scotland and Namibia as they stand in the second spot after everything is said and done. On the other hand, Afghanistan proved to the world that they were not messing around with a whopping 130-run victory over Scotland. A victory over Namibia kept their hopes alive after a heart-breaking defeat to Pakistan, courtesy of the heroics of one Asif Ali. However, Afghanistan’s victorious run was yet again halted by a crushing defeat at the hands of India. Despite that, the door for their semi-final qualification remains open.
| Team | First Match | Second Match | Third Match | Fourth Match |
| New Zealand | Lost by 5 wickets (Pakistan) | Won by 8 wickets (India) | Won by 16 runs (Scotland) | Won by 52 runs (Namibia) |
| Afghanistan | Won by 130 runs (Scotland) | Lost by 5 wickets (Pakistan) | Won by 62 runs (Namibia) | Lost by 66 runs (India) |
Players to watch out for
Since the Abu Dhabi surface is expected to be batting friendly, expect a high-scoring encounter. That being said, you may not look further than New Zealand’s batting sensation, Martin Guptill. Guptill rocked the house with his stellar inning of 93 against Namibia. Kane Williamson would also have his eyes set on stacking up a few runs as his run this tournament has been rather underwhelming. In addition to this, one cannot rule out the importance of Rashid Khan in such a riveting encounter. The leg-spinner has been a cornerstone for Afghanistan’s slow rise in cricket in recent years. Above all, his team would expect him to live up to the millions of fans glued to their seats.
| Rank | Highest Run Scorers | Highest Wicket Takers |
| 1 | Martin Guptill (148) | Trent Boult (8) |
| 2 | Mohammad Nabi (113) | Rashid Khan (7) |
| 3 | Darryl Mitchell (108) | Ish Sodhi (7) |
New Zealand vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup Preview
The match promises to be an unmissable encounter between the often so considered “good guys” of New Zealand and a determined Afghan side. The battle lines have been drawn and the stakes are at an all-time high. The result of the match will determine who will accompany Pakistan to the semi-finals, the favorites New Zealand, underdogs Afghanistan, or the highly unlikely Indians. In addition to this, there’s little-to-no history between the two cricketing nations with absolutely no bad blood yet the tension between both the camps can be cut by a knife. Similarly, the uncomfortable investment of the Indian fans adds a lot of spice heading into the encounter. Who’s going to come out on top? Our guess is as good as yours. Above all, one thing is a guarantee that both sides will likely give it their all for the glory of their motherland.
New Zealand vs Afghanistan Dream 11 Fantasy Picks
The following players are expected to outperform the rest with due respect to their recent performances and form.
Wicket Keepers: Mohammad Shahzad, Devon Conway
Batters: Martin Guptill, Hazratullah Zazai, Daryl Mitchell
All-rounders: Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Jimmy Neesham
Bowlers: Trent Boult, Rashid Khan, Ish Sodhi
