ICC World Cup 2023, NZ Vs AFG | Five Player Battles To Watch Out For

Afghanistan are coming in the back of a big victory vs England

The M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is set to host what promises to be a scintillating clash between New Zealand and Afghanistan in Match 18 of the World Cup 2023 on Wednesday, October 18.

NZ vs AFG: Player battles to watch out for

With the Kiwis riding high on a winning streak and Afghanistan rejuvenated after a stunning victory over England, this encounter is all set to be a cricketing spectacle.

Within this broader context of the NZ vs AFG game, a few individual matchups stand out, holding the potential to tilt the balance in either team's favour. Here’s a look into five top battles.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Trent Boult

Trent Boult (Twitter)

Afghanistan's hard-hitting opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz will be up against New Zealand's spearhead, Trent Boult. Their previous meetings suggest a challenge for Gurbaz, who has managed only 29 runs against Boult and has been dismissed twice, averaging 14.50. Boult's ability to move the ball both ways early on could test Gurbaz's temperament and technique, setting up an exciting powerplay battle.

Glenn Phillips vs Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan (Twitter)

The dynamic Kiwi batsman, Glenn Phillips, has showcased his skill against Afghan spinner, Rashid Khan. In their encounters, Phillips has scored an impressive 48 runs off 36 balls without being dismissed at a strike rate of 133.3. This battle between Phillips's aggression and Rashid's skills promises fireworks, especially in the middle overs.

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Rahmat Shah vs Mitchell Santner

Mitchell Santher (Twitter)

Afghanistan's Rahmat Shah, known for his steadiness, faces a challenge against the spin of Mitchell Santner. Rahmat's record against slow left-arm spinners in ODIs stands at 403 runs, 16 dismissals, averaging 25.2. Santner's variations and ability to control the flow of runs make this matchup a potential game-changer, as Rahmat's role is pivotal in anchoring the Afghan innings.

Daryl Mitchell vs Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Mujeeb ur Rahman (Twitter)

Kiwi all-rounder, Daryl Mitchell will be tested against the mystery spin of Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Their past face-offs have seen Mitchell scoring just 7 runs and being dismissed once by Mujeeb. Mujeeb's mix of off-breaks and carrom balls might pose questions to Mitchell's adaptability, making their contest vital for the middle-order stability.

Will Young vs Fazalhaq Farooqi

Will Young (Twitter)

A crucial battle awaits as Will Young faces off against Afghanistan's left-arm pacer, Fazalhaq Farooqi. The stats show that Young has scored 219 runs against left-arm seamers in white-ball cricket, being dismissed seven times. Farooqi's ability to swing the ball inwards along with Young's stats against left-armers suggests an exciting contest in the offing.

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