NZ vs AFG, World Cup 2023: Cricket Fantasy Tips and Teams for the 16th match (Source: AP Photos)
After 15 exciting encounters in the World Cup 2023, the focus now shifts back to the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. In the 16th match of the tournament, New Zealand (NZ) will be playing against Afghanistan (AFG) on Wednesday, 18th October, 2023 at 2:00 PM IST.
Ahead of the game, here is a look at the top player picks, the important player stats, the top captain and vice-captain choices and the best-predicted XIs for the fantasy contests of the match.
After registering three straight victories in the quadrennial spectacle, the "BlackCaps" have emerged as a big contender for the coveted trophy. The batting lineup of New Zealand have been one of the most consistent in the ODI World Cup 2023, with Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and Rachin Ravindra leading the way and their bowling attack has been performing just as well as their batters.
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On the other hand, Afghans got the better of defending champions England to break open the round robin stage. In the batting side of things, Afghanistan have found a gem at the top of the order in Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who has been the key scorer for them in the ODI World Cup 2023, the spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Mohammad Nabi were instrumental for Afghanistan in beating the defending champions England by a comfortable margin.
New Zealand have secured two wins against Afghanistan in their last two meetings in the ODI World Cup but this time it will not be that east for the Kiwis to beat them, may be another World Cup upset is coming.
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NZ vs AFG, Team Form Guide
New Zealand: W-W-W
Afghanistan: W-L-L
NZ vs AFG, Match 16: Pitch Report
The pitches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, for the ODI World Cup 2023, have kept the batters and bowlers in the game all the time. The average first innings score at this venue in ODIs is 224, which is something both New Zealand and Afghanistan will have to breach, to give themselves the best chance to win against each other on October 18.
MA Chidambaram Stadium ODI Records
Matches: 36
Matches Won Batting First: 17
Matches Won Batting Second: 18
Average First Innings Total: 224
Average Second Innings Total: 206
Highest total recorded: 337/7 (50 Overs) by Asia XI vs Africa XI
Lowest total recorded: 69/10 (23.5 Overs) by KEN vs NZ
Highest score chased: 291/2 (47.5 Overs) by WI vs IND
Lowest score defended: 171/10 (45.4 Overs) by ENG vs RSA
NZ vs AFG, Match 16: Top Player Picks
Devon Conway (NZ)
- Devon Conway has easily been one of the best batters of the tournament so far.
- He has amassed 229 runs at a strike rate of 104.09 in three matches.
Mitchell Santner (NZ)
- Mitchell Santner has been one of the top wicket-takers of the tournament.
- His best bowling figure in this tournament was against NED, 5-59.
Matt Henry (NZ)
- Matt Henry has been bowling beautifully alongside Santner and has picked up eight wickets in three games as well.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG)
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz was outstanding with the bat in the last match.
- He scored 80 runs in the last match.
Rashid Khan (AFG)
- Rashid Khan's brilliant all-round performance in the last match against England helped immensely Afghanistan squad.
- He scored useful 23 runs and picked 3 important wickets.
NZ vs AFG, Match 16 : Cricket Fantasy Player Stats
| Player | Stats | Avg Fantasy Points |
|---|---|---|
| Devon Conway | 229 runs in 3 Innings | 106.67 |
| Mitchell Santner | 8 Wickets in 3 Matches | 101.67 |
| Matt Henry | 8 Wickets in 3 Matches | 97.33 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 148 runs in 3 Innings | 65.67 |
| Rashid Khan | 48 runs and 5 Wickets in 3 Matches | 73.33 |
NZ vs AFG, Match 16: Top Captain and Vice-captain choices
| Scenario | Captain | Vice-captain |
|---|---|---|
| If New Zealand bats first | Devon Conway | Rashid Khan |
| If Afghanistan bats first | Mitchell Santner | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
NZ vs AFG, Match 16: Expert's Cricket Fantasy Tips
Pick more all-rounders from the team batting first and bowlers who will be bowling first. Top order batters from the chasing sides will be crucial. NZ is expected to win this match. The best-suggested fantasy combination for this game is 2-3-3-3 or 2-2-3-4.
NZ vs AFG, Match 16: Cricket Fantasy Team for Head-to-Head/Small Leagues
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Wicketkeepers: Devon Conway, Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Batters: Daryl Mitchell, Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi
All-rounders: Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Mohammad Nabi
Bowlers: Matt Henry, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Rashid Khan
Captain: Devon Conway
Vice-captain: Rashid Khan
NZ: 5 Players, AFG: 6 Players
NZ vs AFG, Match 16: Cricket Fantasy Team for Winner Takes All/Grand Leagues
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Wicketkeepers: Devon Conway, Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Batters: Daryl Mitchell, Ibrahim Zadran
All-rounders: Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Mohammad Nabi
Bowlers: Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Captain: Devon Conway
Vice-captain: Mitchell Santner
NZ: 6 Players, AFG: 5 Players
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