Match preview: Afganistan vs Scotland
Venue
University Oval, Dunedin
Team news
Both went on to lose their first two matches in the group stage, Afghanistan succumbing to a heavy defeat against Bangladesh before stretching Sri Lanka in their second game and Scotland taking seven wickets against New Zealand in defence of a small total before losing heavily against England, which was largely an expected result among cricket betting circles.
For Afghanistan, Mirwais Ashraf has been ruled out after the injury which forced him off the field against Sri Lanka, even though he was able to return later.
Last encounter
The last time the two side's played each other was on the 14 January this year in Abu Dhabi. Scotland won the match convincingly by 150 runs. After posting 213 for seven, the Scots then bowled out the Afghanistan team for a paltry 63.
World Cup meetings
As this is Afghanistan's first World Cup tournament, the two teams have never played each other.
Key players
For Scotland captain Preston Mommsen has to start scoring runs in the tournament if he wants his side to compete. With scores of none and 26 in his two matches so far, the match against Afghanistan could just be when he rediscovers the form that he is capable of.
It could be anyone of the Afghanistan pace attack, but we will go with tall left-arm seamer Shapoor Zadran. He got Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan out in the last match with a beautiful rising delivery. If he gets it right, he could give Scotland lots of problems.
Umpires
Simon Fry, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Rod Tucker (Third umpire), David Boon (match referee)
Weather
It is going to be a maximum of 16C. There will be some cloud, but the sun will fight to break through probably all day. It should not rain though.
Prediction
This could be one of the better matches at the tournament, which is rather wide open at the moment. Both teams are fairly evenly matched and have put in some good performances against stronger opposition. It will be tight, but we will say Afghanistan will just edge it.
Latest
-
NewsOllie Robinson and Dom Sibley get chance to push Test claims in County Select XI
The duo, who have 31 international caps between them, will be hoping to make an impression against New Zealand.
-
NewsEngland’s new dawn and Commonwealth Games – cricket’s summer highlights
The Hundred returns for a second season while India return to finish last summer’s Test series.
-
NewsZak Crawley ready to raise his game for England
The batter has made a modest start to the county season.
-
NewsZak Crawley rediscovers form as Kent’s clash with Northamptonshire is drawn
Crawley started the week averaging under 20 in this season’s LV= Insurance County Championship.
-
NewsIndia recall Cheteshwar Pujara for rescheduled Test against England
The 34-year-old has scored four hundreds in eight innings for Sussex this season.
-
NewsKeith Barker blows away Somerset to help Hampshire to victory
The visitors needed just one run in their second innings to seal victory.
-
NewsCraig Overton claims 400th first-class wicket in Somerset-Hampshire clash
The England seamer’s three-wicket burst left the contest delicately balanced at the halfway stage.
-
NewsThree positive Covid tests confirmed in New Zealand’s tour party
Batter Henry Nicholls, seamer Blair Tickner and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen will self-isolate for five days.
-
NewsZak Crawley outdone by Ben Compton as Kent start strongly at Northamptonshire
Opener Compton stole the show with an unbeaten 125.
-
NewsMark Wood admits frustration over slow progress from elbow surgery
Wood is targeting a Test return towards the back end of the summer.