Afghanistan are set to play New Zealand in a one-off Test match on September 9 at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground in New Delhi. This is the first Test match between the two teams. For New Zealand, the match is a preparation for their two-match series against Sri Lanka which is part of the World Test Championship (WTC). Afghanistan, on the other hand, are keen to put up a strong performance as they aim to establish themselves as a credible Test cricket nation.
Afghanistan Preview
Hashmatullah Shahidi is set to captain Afghanistan in the upcoming one-off Test match against New Zealand. The team’s regular captain and leading spinner, Rashid Khan, is currently sidelined due to an injury, which poses a significant challenge for Afghanistan as he is their key bowler. Additionally, seamer Naveed Zadran has been ruled out of the match due to a side strain.
Shahidi will be tasked with leading the team effectively. In his eight Test appearances, he boasts an impressive batting average of 44, with a highest score of 200 not out against Zimbabwe.
Ibrahim Zadran is another player to keep an eye on. He has scored a century and four half-centuries in seven Tests. He aims to give the team a strong start.
Rahmat Shah and Riaz Hassan are anticipated to anchor the middle order and should find the batting conditions favorable on this pitch.
With Rashid’s absence, it is crucial for Afghanistan’s other bowlers to rise to the occasion. Azmatullah Omarzai, Nijat Masood, and Zahir Khan are expected to take on the role of primary strike bowlers.
Key Players: Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ibrahim Zadran, Nijat Masood
Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:
Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah, Riaz Hassan, Ikram Alikhel (wk), Shahidullah, Qais Ahmad, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia-ur-Rehman, Nijat Masood
New Zealand Preview
New Zealand has assembled a strong squad for their upcoming Test match against Afghanistan, with experienced fast bowler Tim Southee taking on the role of captain.
The team includes several key players. This includes the return of Kane Williamson, who had earlier decided not to accept a central contract. He will be accompanied by key players like Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra. While Tom Latham will continue to serve as vice-captain. Which will give the team the necessary stability and depth.
Williamson is an accomplished player and ranks among the top Test batsmen globally, boasting an impressive average of 68.57 over four Tests this year.
Devon Conway has a special fondness for batting on Indian pitches. And he will be eager to take advantage of this opportunity to score heavily in the Test. Apart from this, Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell are also expected to make significant contributions. Because both are currently in great form. And the conditions will suit their batting techniques.
As Southee leads the bowling attack, the Black Caps will be looking for effective spells from Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel, alongside spin-bowling all-rounders Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Ravindra.
Key Players: Kane Williamson, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra
New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:
Tom Latham, Tom Blundell/ Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (c), Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, Matt Henry
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
Weather Conditions : The Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground typically offers favorable batting surfaces in limited-overs cricket. It is anticipated that the initial two and a half days will provide optimal conditions for batting. While some turn is expected throughout the match, spinners are likely to receive significantly more assistance starting from the third day. Batsmen will need to demonstrate sound technique to endure the challenges presented in the final two days. The weather is expected to be quite warm and humid during the first three days of the Test match. Rain may disrupt play intermittently during the last two days.
AFG vs NZ Pitch Report
The team batting first here will be looking to set a score of around 350-400. The wicket will get tougher to bat on as the match progresses, as getting a bog score in the first innings will be a massive advantage.
Toss: To Bat
This will be the first test match played at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground in Greater Noida. In Test matches in India, batting first is typically the better option, as pitches tend to crack and get tougher to bat on as the match progresses. Therefore, we reckon both captains will look to bat first here.
AFG vs NZ 2024 Today Match Prediction – Reddy Anna
The exciting encounter between AFG vs NZ in 2024 is generating a lot of buzz among cricket enthusiasts. Both teams bring unique strengths to the table, making it an unpredictable yet thrilling match. Here’s a detailed prediction based on team form, player performance, and match conditions to help you make a well-informed decision.
Final Thoughts
Both teams have their strengths, but New Zealand’s consistency and experience make them the likely winners of today’s match. However, Afghanistan’s unpredictability, especially in spin-friendly conditions, means that an upset cannot be ruled out.