Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons if Afghanistan can score close to 250, they can trouble New Zealand at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Wednesday. Afghanistan had stunned England in their last game by 69 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Sunday.
The Chepauk track is known to provide assistance to the spinners and the likes of Mujeeb ur Rahman and Rashid Khan will be licking their lips. In fact, both of these spinners had snared three wickets apiece against England whereas Mohammad Nabi had bagged two scalps.
The spin battery is Afghanistan’s strength and they can breathe down the neck of the Kiwis, who will be without the services of their captain Kane Williamson – ruled out of the next few matches due to a fractured thumb.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Don’t know whether today evening’s match will be good or not, we shall find out. Afghanistan are in front of New Zealand. It is the Chennai ground where we have seen two types of pitches – one with more turn and the other more batting-friendly. It will be enjoyable if the match is played on a slightly more turning pitch.”
The former India opener added: “Kane Williamson is still not available. Afghanistan’s three spinners will once again come. Afghanistan’s problem is their batting. 225 actually becomes a match-winning total here. If they score close to 250, they will trouble New Zealand.”
In the absence of Kane Williamson, the renowned commentator reckons New Zealand will rely on the shoulders of Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, and Tom Latham. Conway has more experience of playing at Chepauk as he plays for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
“New Zealand will then become extremely dependent on Devon Conway, Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra because they play spin well and they will want them to play. There will be chances of getting stuck there.”
The former Delhi player added it will be imperative for Afghanistan batters to put enough runs on the board.
“However, for that to happen, batting has to fire. Let’s see whether it fires or not. They are coming after giving an extremely amazing performance in the last match. They made England lick dust. Can they repeat their heroics against New Zealand? Can that happen? We shall find out.”
The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led team will next take on New Zealand at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Wednesday.
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