The matches keeping like a conveyor belt at an airport as the evening game at MCG will witness New Zealand and Afghanistan lock horns. Afghanistan began the campaign with a loss to England by 5 wickets. The kiwis on the other hand laid down the marker as they beat their Trans-Tasman rivals and defending champs Australia by 89 runs. This was a perfect revenge for the loss they suffered last year in the 2021 T20I world cup final.
Venue – Melbourne Cricket Ground
Time – 130 PM IST
Likely Pitch conditions –
There was a bit of wear and tear during the evening game between India and Pakistan. The match between the kiwis and Afghans could see the team winning the toss decide to bowl first. Trent Boult and Tim Southee could be a handful with the moving new ball under lights. The duo of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman could come in handy along with Mohammad Nabi in the spin department for the Afghans.
Likely NZ XI –
F. Allen, D. Conway, K. Williamson, G. Phillips, J. Neesham, M. Chapman, M. Santner, T. Southee, I. Sodhi, L. Ferguson and T. Boult
Likely Afghanistan XI –
H. Zazai, R. Gurbaz, I. Zadran, U. Ghani, N. Zadran, M. Nabi, A. Omarzai, R. Khan, M. Rahman, F. Ahmed and F. Farooqi.
Head to head record –
Matches played -1
Wins for New Zealand -1
T20I record at MCG –
T20I record at MCG –
Games played -16
Matches won by home team – 9
Matches won by visiting/ neutral side – 6
No result -1
Matches won after 1st batting – 5
Matches won after 2nd batting -10
Matches won after winning the toss – 8
Matches won after losing the toss – 7
Highest scorer at MCG – 89 – David Warner vs SA
Best bowling at MCG – 4/30 Josh Hazlewood vs England
(**record till completion of India vs Pakistan game)
Approaching Milestones –
·Devon Conway needs 3 fours to reach the 100 mark in T20I cricket
·Mitchell Santner needs 39 runs more to reach 500 runs in T20I cricket
·Zazai needs 32 runs more to reach 1000 runs in T20I cricket
·Mujeeb Ur Rahman needs 4 more wickets to reach 50 mark in T20I cricket