The pitch in the Afghanistan versus New Zealand game

[Ozeirk]

It seems ICC cannot afford to have India being knocked out of the tournament. The ideal scenario for them would be that Afghanistan beats newzeland with a small margin so path can be cleared for India to qualify for the semi.

I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest that the pitch in the new Zealand Afghanistan game will be a spinning one, probably one of the best spinning pitches we have seen in this tournament. Newzeland definitely are better against pace than spin bar Kane Williamson.

 

[IMMY69]

It seems ICC cannot afford to have India being knocked out of the tournament. The ideal scenario for them would be that Afghanistan beats newzeland with a small margin so path can be cleared for India to qualify for the semi.

I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest that the pitch in the new Zealand Afghanistan game will be a spinning one, probably one of the best spinning pitches we have seen in this tournament. Newzeland definitely are better against pace than spin bar Kane Williamson.

It's also a day game which should help the spinners in the second innings

 

[farazaidi]

Sodhi and Santner will be a handful for Afghanistan too in that case.

its a day game so the conditions wont change much for 40 overs.

 

[volcyz]

ICC praying for their paychecks that India makes it through

 

[Mahee]

NZ has better pace bowling attack than AFG, NZ has better spin bowling attack than AFG, NZ has better batting line up than AFG....No pitch can save AFG from getting spanked by NZ

 

[Babeikh]

NZ has better pace bowling attack than AFG, NZ has better spin bowling attack than AFG, NZ has better batting line up than AFG....No pitch can save AFG from getting spanked by NZ

Exactly.

90% New Zealand will win this game comfortably. Maybe a 5% chance it will be a close game with New Zealand's experience and cool heads taking them home and a 5% chance Afghanistan will win. Of course strange things happen, upsets happen etc so you cannot categorically say with 100% certainty that New Zealand will win but it is highly unlikely Afghanistan will be able to even give them a close game.

 

[Sirris]

Why do you even bother to follow cricket If you think ICC will mend everything in Indias favour?

 

[Mp812]

Why do you even bother to follow cricket If you think ICC will mend everything in Indias favour?

If ICC wanted to and was inclined to do so...they would have ensured India won both their first two matches. But some people seem nervous ...very nervous India might reach semis

 

[Sirris]

If ICC wanted to and was inclined to do so...they would have ensured India won both their first two matches. But some people seem nervous ...very nervous India might reach semis

I don’t want India to reach the semi final as well purely out of schadenfreude and to see Afghans proceed further.

However, if india does make it to semi final then nothing would give me more joy than Ind vs Pak final. Bring it oon!!!!

 

[Mp812]

The probability of India reaching SF is hardly 10%. For that to happen not 1 but 4 results will have to go their way.
The conspiracy theories are funny.
Think logically...If BCCI was buying matches would Kohli have lost so many ICC events.
Nah but when India wins then they purchased the results.
If India looses all is well and fair in world

 

[Suleiman]

If India don’t make it to semis, then this is the last time Pakistan and India will be paired in the same group for tournaments. ICC can’t afford this. They would rather get beaten by Pak in the knockout stages than group stage.

 

[Justcrazy]

Boult and Southe will be difficult proposition for Afghans

 

[realitygaf]

Wait I thought Afghanistan was a poor side. Did no one see their previous match ? I thought the pressure got to them. How will they win vs even more pressure ? Why is there talk of Afghanistan winning all of the sudden now that Afghanistan lost badly vs India

 

[globalcitizen]

2 things to note here, you are obsessed about india obviously and you are scared deep inside that india will come into semis and turnaround everything lol
This happens when you are devoid of success for sometime.

 

[Devadwal]

If India don’t make it to semis, then this is the last time Pakistan and India will be paired in the same group for tournaments. ICC can’t afford this. They would rather get beaten by Pak in the knockout stages than group stage.

Only one world cup win in 13 attempt but delusion Pakistan fans will never lernt .lol

 

[battler]

If Mujeeb is playing Afghanistan definitely have a chance. Else it's pretty straightforward for Nz.

 

[Shazzam]

I don’t want India to reach the semi final as well purely out of schadenfreude and to see Afghans proceed further.

However, if india does make it to semi final then nothing would give me more joy than Ind vs Pak final. Bring it oon!!!!

Seems like you are in it to see Pakistan lose in the final to India. We may relive World Cup Twenty20 2007 again. Babar taking Misbah’s spot in chasing.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Only one world cup win in 13 attempt but delusion Pakistan fans will never lernt .lol

Can't disagree with that. Some of the Indian victories in tournaments of last 20 years have been crushing

 

[Ozeirk]

2 things to note here, you are obsessed about india obviously and you are scared deep inside that india will come into semis and turnaround everything lol
This happens when you are devoid of success for sometime.

To defeat India twice in this worldcup is the best thing a Pakistani fan get out of the tournament.

What's happening here is many people are still upset about what India did in their game against England in 2019 worldcup where they did not make an effort at all to chase the English score which meant Pakistan didn't qualify for the semis. Many peopl including ben Stokes who was playing in that game questioned Indian tactics. Ganguly said on record he doesn't understand what's going on.

 

[PerfectionPersonified]

To defeat India twice in this worldcup is the best thing a Pakistani fan get out of the tournament.

What's happening here is many people are still upset about what India did in their game against England in 2019 worldcup where they did not make an effort at all to chase the English score which meant Pakistan didn't qualify for the semis. Many peopl including ben Stokes who was playing in that game questioned Indian tactics. Ganguly said on record he doesn't understand what's going on.

Dhoni lost my respect that day, it was so blatant. India scores 60 in the last 10 overs ..while chasing losing I think couple of wickets. Unreal

 

[farazaidi]

so NRR of NZ is less than Afghanistan. It is a must win game for NZ now, they lose and they are out

 

[Sycamore]

The pitch will be the one from AUS - SA game, seems it will be a low scoring thriller.

 

[Rana]

so NRR of NZ is less than Afghanistan. It is a must win game for NZ now, they lose and they are out

There you go, Afghanistan played the perfect match against India

 

[farazaidi]

NZ will prevail in a low scoring game, Afghanistan can only slog their way to a decent score.

 

[farazaidi]

There you go, Afghanistan played the perfect match against India

If they had defeated Namibia by a 20 more runs, they would've got ahead of Afghanistan on NRR

 

[realitygaf]

The pitch will be the one from AUS - SA game, seems it will be a low scoring thriller.

Why would it be a thriller . Did you not see the india Afghanistan game ? Why would Afghanistan beat NZ will such a team

 

[MP2011]

Dhoni lost my respect that day, it was so blatant. India scores 60 in the last 10 overs ..while chasing losing I think couple of wickets. Unreal

Dhoni was way past it in 2019 and you wanted him to chase what no team has ever done in a WC game and that too with the likes of Jadhav, Kuldeep, Shami etc?

Pakistani fans and their fetish for conspiracy theories! Everybody is out to get you.

 

[octavian]

We have seen this movie so many times before, we know whats coming next.

 

[Varun]

If this is true and we make it to the knockouts in this fashion, I will quit as an Indian fan. Not that any of us are fans of the BCCI in any case.

 

[Kianig89]

It would be a travesty if AFG won

 

[dani2k]

Historically India have never made a knockout with help from another team or external factors like weather. They have never had such luck unlike Pakistan.

This time will be no different either. Happy to eat my words though.

9 out 10 times NZ is going through.

 

[Mahee]

these Pakistani fans are really scared of India ....how in the world AFG can beat NZ ! if anybody cares to explain the same to me, I will be really appreciative of it

 

[pillionrider]

Dhoni lost my respect that day, it was so blatant. India scores 60 in the last 10 overs ..while chasing losing I think couple of wickets. Unreal

Pakistani players obviously don't think like you, because at least four of them were chatting with him after the game the other day

 

[Saj]

Whatever the pitch, 9 times out of 10 you'd expect NZ to beat Afghanistan.

 

[Cyclotron]

Why would it be a thriller . Did you not see the india Afghanistan game ? Why would Afghanistan beat NZ will such a team

Did you see India vs Scotland and NZ vs scotland.scotland were winning it if not for Martin Guptill innings

 

[Sarwar89]

Afghanistan lost all 9 matches in 2019 world cup.

Just because somehow Pakistan does not smash them in icc matches does not mean they are very good. Pak should have easily won 2019 wc match against them and same again last week when they were 76/6.

We are giving Afghans way too much importance. They are minnow team. Even Scotland beat them in 2019 WC qualifier.

 

[Third Man]

Why the trembling, people? Why are you so worried about India getting to the semi-final. This is quite honestly embarrassing. And after all the unpleasantness about the Ind v Afg match on social media, I'm really hoping Afghanistan wins against New Zealand.

 

[Stewie]

May the odds be forever in your favor!!

 

[skhanmac]

It's that ONE time that would bother most Pakistani fans..

 

[Civil]

Afghanistan lost all 9 matches in 2019 world cup.

Just because somehow Pakistan does not smash them in icc matches does not mean they are very good. Pak should have easily won 2019 wc match against them and same again last week when they were 76/6.

We are giving Afghans way too much importance. They are minnow team. Even Scotland beat them in 2019 WC qualifier.

THIS 100%

Everyone thinks the AFG team that turns up against us last two tourneys (and still lost) is the team that will turn up against NZ ...

Reality is NZ will wipe them especially if AFG chase.

I would love Ind vs Pak final but long way to go.

 

[iRfaN_LA]

Why the trembling, people? Why are you so worried about India getting to the semi-final. This is quite honestly embarrassing. And after all the unpleasantness about the Ind v Afg match on social media, I'm really hoping Afghanistan wins against New Zealand.

Spot on. Not sure why people are paying so much attention to this. Just focus on winning your semifinal and let them plan what they are planning

 

[Unbiased-Fan]

Pakistanis and their conspiracy theories are laugh riots ..
Many paksitani fans were calling ICC fixed the match againt Afghanistan in India's favour and even today match against Scotland was fixed..
But they will never point out about others teams easily lost to newzealand..
If India won against Afghanistan, match was fixed..
If Newzealand won against Namibia, Newzealand played well..
Double standards are unbelievable
Grow up guys

 

[Unbiased-Fan]

And dont worry guys, India is not going to qualify for semis as Newzealand is too strong for Afghanistan on any track in any format..
So just chill and grab popcorn for semis..

 

[Runner Up]

Ashwin wants Mujeeb to be fully fit against New Zeland. Just came in my mind so just saying it.

 

[Runner Up]

Pakistan and India final aur kya chahiye? Pakistan finally won against India in world cup means India will be under huge pressure. Not Pakistan this time.

 

[Runner Up]

If happens what the OP is saying let New Zealand talk why are we worried?

 

[Shoaibbtt]

NZ to win easy, doesn't matter the conditions they aren't pushovers and they have good players of spin i.e. Devon Conway, Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell so no chance they will lose. It will be a cracker of a game but no way do they lose.

 

[Artaxerxes]

There are reports going round that Nabi the Afghan captain is sponsoring the Afghan team.This is not true.ICC meets all expenses of teams including training,hotel costs etc.ICC gives money to all boards.I don’t understand why Ashein is willing to spend his money to get Mujeeb fit.I guess if Afghan team is offered a heap of dosh by India then it may give 200% against NZ.

 

[RexRex]

Jadeja tackling the hard questions.

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[Artaxerxes]

Why the trembling, people? Why are you so worried about India getting to the semi-final. This is quite honestly embarrassing. And after all the unpleasantness about the Ind v Afg match on social media, I'm really hoping Afghanistan wins against New Zealand.

No one is trembling.I don’t want India to get into the semi finals.Of course I have no power to prevent India going to semi finals.Indians also wish exactly the same.They don’t want Pakistan to win.It does not matter who Pakistan plays.In 2019 wc India lost deliberately to knock Pakistan out.India Pakistan is not just a rivalry.It is more than that.

 

[Usergame]

While NZ batting might struggle a bit if its turning - I feel NZ bowlers will be too hard for Afghanistan to put away- they've been excellent this tournament so far.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

NZ to win easy, doesn't matter the conditions they aren't pushovers and they have good players of spin i.e. Devon Conway, Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell so no chance they will lose. It will be a cracker of a game but no way do they lose.

NZ will choke like they always do in ICC tournaments. Struggled to get to 160+ vs Namibia so what makes you think they won’t struggle against a better bowling opposition.

Afghanistan will put blood, sweat and tears into the NZ game, they’ll do whatever it takes to make sure India don’t get knocked out.

 

[Technics 1210]

Betfair has AFG to win @ 2.5 to 1.

 

[PakLFC]

For NZ to lose the BCCI would have to buy out the black caps like they did the Afghans. They could threaten to throw out NZ players from the IPL if they refuse to lose.

 

[realitygaf]

NZ is more disciplined than India or Pak so there is ZERO chance that Afghanistan win . unless they were purposely playing badly vs India

 

[Shoaibbtt]

NZ will choke like they always do in ICC tournaments. Struggled to get to 160+ vs Namibia so what makes you think they won’t struggle against a better bowling opposition.

Afghanistan will put blood, sweat and tears into the NZ game, they’ll do whatever it takes to make sure India don’t get knocked out.

No Asghar Afghan (good batsman) and possibly no Mujeeb. Afghanistan will choke big time, NZ is no push over and Afghanistan has never made it this far.

 

[Varun]

For NZ to lose the BCCI would have to buy out the black caps like they did the Afghans. They could threaten to throw out NZ players from the IPL if they refuse to lose.

Wonder why we didn't buy them out when we played them directly lol.

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Only one world cup win in 13 attempt but delusion Pakistan fans will never lernt .lol

I do reject the ICC helping BCCI conpiracy theory.

But take a look at the overall record, below


Format Matches played India won Pakistan won Draw/Tie/No Result Notes
Test 59 9 12 38
ODI 132 55 73 4
T20I 9 6 2 1
Total 200 70 87 43

So who is deluded now?

 

[Usergame]

NZ will choke like they always do in ICC tournaments. Struggled to get to 160+ vs Namibia so what makes you think they won’t struggle against a better bowling opposition.

Afghanistan will put blood, sweat and tears into the NZ game, they’ll do whatever it takes to make sure India don’t get knocked out.

The choker tag belongs more to pakistan for their lack of success in big events despite being stacked with talent.
As for NZ choking .. um remind me who won the last icc trophy? It was nz with the icc test championship.
NZ also made the 2019 world cup final and how they played was the opposite of choking despite england being a vastly superior odi side.

 

[globalcitizen]

The power hitting by india has put a twist in qualifications scenario.

What's more bizarre are this,

Pak was supporting Afg to beat India and when they did not fixing chants emerged!

India wants afg to beat NZ so they can qualify in place of Afg!

Pak wants NZ to beat Afg inspite of them humiliating them in world cricket by not travelling there

If Afg wins or NZ loses, one of them are bought out by bcci

I think Afg batting will crumble under pressure and end up with small score. Nz deserve to be in the semi finals and hopefully can beat England this time as redemption!!

 

[Saj]

Keep Calm and Trust Kane

 

[Aman]

So we either become heroes in Pakistan again or even bigger villains

 

[Aman]

For NZ to lose the BCCI would have to buy out the black caps like they did the Afghans. They could threaten to throw out NZ players from the IPL if they refuse to lose.

We haven't been too flash this tournament, Afghanistan beating us wouldn't be a shock or upset.

 

[Uzzy_Khan]

Keep Calm and Trust Kane

In shaa Allah Kane will not disappoint.. Saj from all your cricketing experience and the way things have gone so far what is your prediction for the Afg vs NZ game.just curious..

 

[Aman]

Additionally, we would have knocked India out of another tournament with a win. Effectively beating/knocking them twice in one tournament

 

[Aman]

In shaa Allah Kane will not disappoint.. Saj from all your cricketing experience and the way things have gone so far what is your prediction for the Afg vs NZ game.just curious..

It's going to be the biggest/most important game of the tournament so far given what is on the line.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Why do you even bother to follow cricket If you think ICC will mend everything in Indias favour?

Even if they could arrange for favourable pitches, the big problem would still be that NZ won't give the game to Afghans. While I have no doubt that some Afghan players might have been incentivised to underperform against India, I just don't see NZ playing that game.

 

[shaz619]

Will be a disaster if India lose, I much rather have the spineless, shifty and cowardly Kiwis lose and send India through, the nice guys are slowly being exposed for being fake pansies

 

[Uzzy_Khan]

It's going to be the biggest/most important game of the tournament so far given what is on the line.

No doubt Aman, Something tells me its going to be a one sided affair in favour of NZ.. But if Afg does turn up unlike the Indian game where they applied appalling tactics, they could make a game of it.. Either way a NZ win In shaa Allah

 

[Civil]

NZ have this in the bag. Afghanistan is only being hyped up specifically by us and no one else.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

The choker tag belongs more to pakistan for their lack of success in big events despite being stacked with talent.
As for NZ choking .. um remind me who won the last icc trophy? It was nz with the icc test championship.
NZ also made the 2019 world cup final and how they played was the opposite of choking despite england being a vastly superior odi side.

We’re talking about LOI’s.

Choked in the WC15’ final.

Choked in the WC19’ final.

Will choke against Afghanistan, another achievement added to the list of chokes.

Failed to score 2 runs from 1 ball on a delivery that was going down leg

 

[PakLFC]

Wonder why we didn't buy them out when we played them directly lol.

Coz buying them is much more difficult then doing so Afghanistan. Hopefully, that will be the case when the Afghan's meet the Black caps too.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

We’re talking about LOI’s.

Choked in the WC15’ final.

Choked in the WC19’ final.

Will choke against Afghanistan, another achievement added to the list of chokes.

Failed to score 2 runs from 1 ball on a delivery that was going down leg&#55357;&#56834;

I think you are giving Afghanistan far too much credit.

Pressure is more so on Afghanistan more so than anything:

- First time facing NZ ever in a T20
- First time in a virtual quarter final situation against NZ
- Mujeeb could be in 50/50 shape or not play at all
- Afghanistan will be under pressure to deliver for it's fans and will have Indian fans behind them as well, sometimes the weight of expectations gets to you and that to in a very big situation such as this.

 

[Usergame]

We haven't been too flash this tournament, Afghanistan beating us wouldn't be a shock or upset.

I think we've been very good. The bowling especially has been excellent so far.
T20 is NZ's weakest format by a long shot- A semifinal appearance would be a good effort imo.

 

[leonidas_alexandar]

There's actually no history to go by for Afg vs NZL - as they have never played a T20 before. On paper, NZ should win this though.

Much also hinges on Mujeeb playing. Is he out of the tournament?

 

[globalcitizen]

Ashwin wants Mujeeb to be fully fit against New Zeland. Just came in my mind so just saying it.

It dint come to your mind, ashwin did say it. And any team would hope the same right or u think this is a conspiracy too!!

 

[Snowflake]

Let's see how many of these "rational" Indian fans put their money where there mouth is and bet that it will NOT be a super spin friendly track and will be just like the India vs Afg game.

Also keep a watch on Afghanistan's intensity. They'll be refreshed after the net session they had vs India

 

[Buffet]

Afghanistan may challenge in some games, but I will expect NZ to win a majority of games against Afghanistan. NZ should win it.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

NZ should win on paper. But a Zazai knock or a Rashid spell can win it for Afg. T20 is a cruel format.

 

[MenInG]

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has warned that New Zealand losing to Afghanistan will raise a lot of questions.

Virat Kohli’s India have bounced back from their opening two losses to Pakistan and New Zealand to hammer Afghanistan and Scotland.

However, they still need to win their last group game against Namibia on Monday and depend on the result of Sunday’s New Zealand-Afghanistan match to have a chance of making the semi-finals.

Akhtar claimed that New Zealand’s defeat at the hands of Afghanistan will become a trending topic, especially in Pakistan.

“India’s fate is now in New Zealand’s hands. If New Zealand lose [to Afghanistan] a lot of questions will be raised, I’m warning you. I’m afraid that it will become another trending topic. I don’t want to get into any controversy but sentiments of Pakistanis are really high at the moment as far as New Zealand is concerned,” said Akhtar while speaking on his official YouTube channel.

“I think New Zealand are better than Afghanistan. If, God forbid, they don’t play well and lose, that will be a problem. Nobody will be able to stop social media if it happens and we have to take that into consideration,” he added.

New Zealand stayed on course for the semi-finals with a 52-run win over Namibia on Friday.

Meanwhile, group 2 leaders Pakistan have already made sure of a semi-final place with four wins in four games.

https://cricketpakistan.com.pk/en/n...n-will-raise-a-lot-of-questions-shoaib-akhtar