NZ vs AFG ICC World Cup 2023 Toss Report: Unchanged Afghanistan Opt to Field, New Zealand Miss Kane Williamson

After thumping defending champions England in New Delhi last week, Afghanistan are set to lock horns with undefeated New Zealand in the ICC World Cup 2023 match no. 16. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side are high in confidence after their remarkable win against England and will look to continue their winning spree against Black Caps at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday.

NZ vs AFG ICC World Cup 2023 Live 

Meanwhile, Afghanistan have won the toss and decided to bowl first against New Zealand. The Ataland are going with the same combination that trumped the Three Lions last week at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

“We want to bowl first, the reason is it might be a dew factor in the second half. Discussion was there but we looked at the opposition team and their strength also. We will look to restrict them to a low score. We had the celebration for that night but now it’s gone. The confidence we can take into this game. We are going with the same team,” said Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi at the toss.

On the other hand, New Zealand are without the services of their skipper Kane Williamson who is currently nursing a fractured thumb. Stand-in captain Tom Latham said Will Young has returned to the mix to replace an injured Williamson.

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“Either way, wasn’t sure what to do. Looks like a good surface. Batting first will be good for us, and hopefully, we can put up a big total on the board. Will Young comes in for Williamson, fingers crossed for the remainder of the tournament. Adapting to every ground, every team, and every surface is important. Not a hundred per cent sure, it might be slightly better than the last game,” Latham said.

Here are the Playing XIs:

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

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w/c), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.