New Zealand started their tournament by avenging the 2021 T20 World Cup final, with a crushing win against hosts and defending champions Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Asked to bat, they got off to a flying start thanks to Finn Allen’s 16-ball 42 at the top. Devon Conway then batted through the innings with an unbeaten 92 in 58 balls to help New Zealand reach 200-3. In response, Australia were never in the hunt after losing three wickets inside five overs. Tim Southee (3-6) and Mitchell Santner (3-31) led the rout as Australia collapsed to 111, conceding a colossal net run rate deficit.

At the Perth Stadium, Afghanistan struggled against Mark Wood’s pace and scored only a run more against Australia despite middle-over grafts from Ibrahim Zadran (32) and Usman Ghani (30). They collapsed against Sam Curran (5-10). But led by Rashid Khan (1-17), their bowlers hit back, even reducing England to 97-5, eventually keeping England at bay until 18.1 overs. Their net run rate (-0.62) is not great, but it is significantly better than Ireland’s -2.467 and Australia’s -0.45.

Head-to-head record

The teams have met only once, in the 2021 World Cup, in a match oddly similar to Afghanistan’s recent defeat against England. Najibullah Zadran’s 48-ball 73 took Afghanistan to 124-8 as Trent Boult (3-17) and Southee (2-24) shared half the wickets. New Zealand took 18.1 overs to chase the target.

NZ v AFG, T20 World Cup: Dream11 fantasy tips

Pick Rashid and Mohammad Nabi and then the rest. They are seasoned cricketers in this format who are likely to fetch points with either bat or ball, if not both.

Do not make Rashid captain. While he will get points, he will not give you a lot of points, as batters tend to play him out. So, fewer wickets, hence fewer points. Instead, back Conway or Nabi.

For the wicketkeeper, back Conway. The milestone bonus points are likelier to outweigh the boundary bonus points Allen or Rahmanullah Gurbaz may get you. If you still have points, get Allen, he is cheaper than Gurbaz.

Pick both Southee and Boult. Compensate for their heavy prices with Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner.

Probable XI for NZ vs AFG

New Zealand: Finn Allen (wk), Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Glenn Phillips, Jimmy Neesham, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Rewind

2021 T20 World Cup: New Zealand won by 8 wickets

NZ v AFG Dream11 Team

Potential swaps

Lockie Ferguson/Ish Sodhi for Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Captaincy options

Mohammad Nabi, Devon Conway

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