An underwhelming New Zealand will look to rediscover their trademark explosiveness when they take on a dangerous Afghanistan in the Group D opener of the ICC T20 World Cup on Sunday.

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The Kiwis endured an unsettled build-up to the global event, suffering a 1–4 series defeat against India, and now face an Afghanistan side brimming with confidence and match-winners.

The inclusion of Tim Seifert and Finn Allen has added extra firepower at the top, but New Zealand will need bigger and more consistent contributions from the likes of Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman and Devon Conway to make full use of the starts provided by the openers.

New Zealand’s middle-order struggles were a glaring concern against India, particularly their inability to up the tempo while setting or chasing targets. Another sub-par showing could have serious repercussions in a group that also includes South Africa, making a strong start vital for Mitchell Santner’s men.

The Kiwis will also be eager for a turnaround from their bowling unit, which looked uncharacteristically expensive against India’s aggressive batting.

Despite featuring in just one match during the series, Lockie Ferguson showcased the value of raw pace and hinted at added variations to his game. He will shoulder a key responsibility alongside Santner and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi in keeping Afghanistan in check.

That task, however, will be far from straightforward.

Afghanistan arrive on the back of a dominant bilateral series win over the West Indies, underlining their growing stature in the T20 format. Their strength lies in depth, with several players capable of turning a game on its head.

At the centre of it all is Rashid Khan. While the mystery surrounding the star leg-spinner may have faded, his competitive edge remains as fierce as ever. Balancing captaincy with his role as a strike bowler will be a challenge, something that has tested him in the past.

Rashid will need strong support from fellow spinners Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad, especially on the Chepauk surface, where spin is expected to play a significant role. With the match starting at 11 am, the absence of dew should further assist the slower bowlers.

Afghanistan’s batting will revolve around Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, with the consistent Sediqullah Atal also emerging as a key threat. Their blend of power and technique promises to test New Zealand’s bowlers throughout the contest.

All signs point to a closely fought and intriguing encounter as both sides look to make an early statement in the tournament.

Squads

New Zealand:
Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi

Afghanistan:
Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Ishaq Rahimi, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi

Match starts: 11 am

(By PTI Inputs)