On-song Kiwis favourites against Afghanistan

Taunton: New Zealand will start as clear favourites against Afghanistan after registering a tight win in their last encounter, when the two sides meet for a World Cup clash on Saturday.

Kane Williamson’s side is at the top of the standings as they have a better net run-rate than Australia after achieving two contrasting victories.

The Black Caps cruised to a 10-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their opening game, but had to toil hard for a two-wicket victory against Bangladesh on Wednesday at The Oval in London.

In Afghanistan, they will find a side who have failed to show enough power in their batting.

Gulbadin Naib’s side enter the match on Saturday having received a seven-wicket thrashing at the hands of Australia in Bristol before they were skittled out for 152 inside 33 overs chasing a victory target of 202 against Sri Lanka in Cardiff.

Afghanistan were also dealt with a blow after wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. He was replaced in the squad by 18-year-old Ikram Ali Khil.

For the Kiwis, veteran Ross Taylor’s form will be a huge boost but Williamson will want his other batsmen to arrest the slide they encountered against Bangladesh while chasing a modest 245 for victory. IANS

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