New Zealand is all set to take on the Afghanistan in Match 16 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 on Wednesday, October 18 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Both the teams have a star-studded squad that can change the course of the game with their abilities. New Zealand is the favourite to win this encounter against Afghanistan.
New Zealand and Afghanistan have a fierce rivalry in the format. Both teams have played 2 ODI matches, with New Zealand winning 2 games and Afghanistan winning 0 games so far in the head to head encounters. In this article, we will take a look at the key player battles to watch out for in the match 16 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 between New Zealand and Afghanistan.
Also Read: ICC ODI World Cup 2023: New Zealand vs Afghanistan Weather Forecast and Pitch Report for Today Match
Here are three player battles to watch out for during NZ vs AFG match:
1) Rachin Ravindra vs Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Rachin Ravindra has been the talk of the town with his sensational performance in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. His brilliant century against England set the stage for the tournament. With 183 runs in three matches at an impressive average of 91.50, including a century and a fifty, Ravindra is a player to watch. He will face the challenge of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, one of the premier spinners in world cricket. Rahman’s standout performance against England has been a tournament highlight.
2) Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Trent Boult
Rahmanullah Gurbaz has yet to encounter Trent Boult in international cricket. However, Boult has dismissed him twice in T20 matches, showcasing their intriguing history. Gurbaz is in fine form, having scored 148 runs in three matches, including a remarkable 80 against England in the recent game. This contest between Gurbaz and Boult promises to be an exciting battle.
3) Devon Conway vs Rashid Khan
Devon Conway is enjoying a splendid run of form in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. He began the tournament with an outstanding century against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium. As the second-highest run-scorer in the competition, he has amassed 229 runs at an impressive average of 114.50. His matchup against Rashid Khan will be an intriguing clash. Although Rashid has not had the best tournament thus far, having taken five wickets in three matches, his ability to deceive even the world’s best batsmen makes this battle a compelling one to watch.