The stage is set for the highly anticipated Only Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand, marking Afghanistan’s tour of India. The match will take place from September 9 to September 13 at 10:00 AM local time. Both teams will be eager to perform after contrasting recent results.
Afghanistan comes into the match looking to improve on a difficult run of form, having lost four of their last five Test matches. Their most recent Test was a loss against Ireland by six wickets in February 2024. Despite these setbacks, Afghanistan will hope to take advantage of familiar conditions and challenge a strong New Zealand side.
New Zealand, on the other hand, has been in better shape, winning three of their last five Test matches. However, they will aim to bounce back after two consecutive losses to Australia in March 2024. Led by experienced captain Tim Southee, New Zealand will be keen to get back to winning ways and assert their dominance over Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s Last Five Matches
– February 28, 2024, Only Test vs. Ireland: Ireland won by 6 wickets (L)
– February 02, 2024, Only Test vs. Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets (L)
– June 14, 2023, Only Test vs. Bangladesh: Bangladesh won by 546 runs (L)
– March 10, 2021, 2nd Test vs. Zimbabwe: Afghanistan won by 6 wickets (W)
– March 02, 2021, 1st Test vs. Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe won by 10 wickets (L)
New Zealand’s Last Five Matches
– March 08, 2024, 2nd Test vs. Australia: Australia won by 3 wickets (L)
– February 29, 2024, 1st Test vs. Australia: Australia won by 172 runs (L)
– February 13, 2024, 2nd Test vs. South Africa: New Zealand won by 7 wickets (W)
– February 04, 2024, 1st Test vs. South Africa: New Zealand won by 281 runs (W)
– December 06, 2023, 2nd Test vs. Bangladesh: New Zealand won by 4 wickets (W)
Afghanistan
-Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Abdul Malik, Afsar Zazai †, Azmatullah Omarzai, Bahir Shah, Ibrahim Zadran, Ikram Alikhil †, Khalil Ahmed, Nijat Masood, Qais Ahmad, Rahmat Shah, Riaz Hassan, Shahidullah, Shamsurrahman, Zahir Khan, Zia-ur-Rehman.
New Zealand
– Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell †, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway †, Matt Henry, Tom Latham †, Daryl Mitchell, William O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
The Test is set to be a crucial encounter for both teams, with Afghanistan aiming to prove their resilience and New Zealand looking to reestablish their winning ways on foreign soil.
