NEW ZEALAND V AFGHANISTAN
New Zealand
Injured/Unavailable: Daryl Mitchell completed his training successfully and will be available for selection. Whether he will be brought back against Afghanistan remains to be seen.
Tactics & Matchups: After Afghanistan came up short against England, the focus will be on NZ’s pacers against Afghanistan’s batters once again. Boasting of an in-form swing-pace attack in what is likely to be pace-friendly conditions, the troika of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson are set to have a big say in the outcome of the game. How Afghanistan’s batters bounce back after the Sam Curran-induced collapse will be a battle to look forward to.
Probable XI: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
Afghanistan
Injured/Unavailable: There has been no reported injuries for Afghanistan
Tactics & Matchups: While New Zealand made the battle against Australia’s pace attack look pretty easy, their trial by spin against Afghanistan’s top-quality spin attack will be a newer, varied challenge. While pace dominated in the India-Pakistan game, playing on a used pitch could also offer Afghanistan’s spinners some assistance.
Probable XI: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmed, Fazalhaq Farooqi