New Zealand will intention to take advantage of Afghanistan’s relative inexperience in red-ball cricket, within the one-off Take a look at ranging from Monday (September 9, 2024), and collect momentum forward of their upcoming World Take a look at Championship challenges within the sub-continent.
New Zealand’s first-ever Take a look at in opposition to Afghanistan will kick off a difficult couple of months for the Black Caps who play six long-format matches on the bounce within the subcontinent, one thing they have not achieved in 40 years.
With their underwhelming subcontinent document in thoughts (40 losses in 90 matches), New Zealand would need to hit the straps straightaway.
Senior batter Kane Williamson has emphasised on the necessity to adapt to circumstances and with three video games underneath their belt, they’d be properly ready for the marquee sequence in opposition to India subsequent month.
Spin is predicted to dominate proceedings and New Zealand has come well-prepared with 5 sluggish bowling choices.
Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who returns to India for the primary time since his 10-wicket haul in Mumbai in 2021, is predicted to make the taking part in XI.
Rachin Ravindra, who has been sweating it out in CSK Excessive-Efficiency Centre in Chennai, is predicted to be useful with bat and ball whereas all-rounders Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, and Michael Bracewell are vying to fill the remaining spinners’ spots.
Matt Henry is New Zealand’s finest seamer in the meanwhile however captain Tim Southee’s dip in Take a look at kind can be a priority. Will O’Rourke, or categorical pacer Ben Sears could also be given a go.
New Zealand might want to shake off the rust as they have not performed Take a look at cricket since early March and the tenacious Afghanistan aspect is poised to pose a robust problem.
For Afghanistan, who obtained Take a look at standing in 2017, this can be solely their Tenth-ever outing within the conventional format.
They head to the conflict having misplaced their final three Assessments in opposition to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Eire. However of their temporary Take a look at journey, they’ve managed to beat Eire, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
Afghanistan has made important strides in white-ball cricket, however some gamers will now must swiftly make the transition from T20 to Take a look at format.
The disparity in Take a look at expertise between Afghanistan and New Zealand is substantial, however Hashmatullah Shahidi and his workforce will look to achieve from familiarity with the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports activities Complicated in Better Noida, the place they’ve beforehand performed 5 ODIs and 6 T20Is.
Talismanic all-rounder Rashid Khan is just not there to bowl his menacing leg-breaks, which is a big blow for them, whereas T20 regulars Rahamnullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi, Fazallaq Farooqui, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad and Naveen-ul-Haq are additionally not obtainable.
Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, and skipper Shahidi, who averages 44.09 in Assessments, will burden the batting obligations.
Seam-bowling all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai is more likely to make his Take a look at debut, whereas Zia-ur-Rehman, Zahir Khan, Khalil Ahmed, Qais Ahmad, Shahidullah Kamal and Bahir Shah are the spin choices.
With rain and thunderstorms forecast all through the week, the match is more likely to be affected.
Squads
Afghanistan
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Afsar Zazai (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Bahir Shah, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Shams Ur Rahman, Zia-ur-Rehman, Zahir Khan, Qais Ahmad, Khalil Ahmad and Nijat Masood.
New Zealand
Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Kane Williamson, Will Younger.
Revealed – September 08, 2024 12:54 pm IST
