ICC World Cup 2019: Afghanistan vs New Zealand; DC\'s Dream11 Prediction

Mumbai: New Zealand and Afghanistan will lock horns in Match 13 of ICC World Cup 2019 at Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.

New Zealand are at the top of the points table and will be hoping to continue their winning momentum. Kiwis were successful in defeating Bangladesh in their previous game. while Afghanistan suffered a defeat against Sri Lanka in a rain-marred clash.

Ross Taylor was in sublime form against Bangladesh in their previous match and will be hoping to lead the team's batting force against Afghanistan.

The Kiwis will be also relying on their pace bowling attack to uproot Afghanistan's batting order. Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry are expected to show their competence in the initial overs.

New Zealand are a better team on paper and are coming off two superb wins on the trot and are therefore firm favourites to emerge on top in the upcoming fixture.

New Zealand are the favourites to win this clash but Gulbadin Naib and Co will be eager to turn the tables. Afghanistan have failed to make an impact in the tournament so far as their batsmen have been unsuccessful in building partnerships.

Moreover, their spin-attack, led by Rashid Khan has been inefficient in English conditions. The Afghan side was completely dominated by the Aussies in their first match.

However, Afghanistan exhibited a much better performance against Sri Lanka in their second match of the mega-event. Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan will be hoping to defy New Zealand's batting line-up as Afghanistan is hoping to make an impression in the tournament.

Squads:

New Zealand:

Kane Williamson (captain), Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Tom Blundell, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Jimmy Neesham, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

Afghanistan:

Gulbadin Naib (captain), Rashid Khan (vice-captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, and Mujeeb ur Rahman.

Dream11:

Kane Williamson(C), Tom Latham, Rahmat Shah, Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Mohammad Nabi, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Rashid Khan, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson.