Afghanistan vs New Zealand Preview: On-song Kiwis favourites against Afghanistan

The Kiwis have been the best side in the World Cup to date and will be a formidable opponent for Afghanistan.

New Zealand will start as clear favourites against Afghanistan after registering a tight win in their last encounter, when the two sides meet at Taunton on Saturday. Kane Williamson's side is at the top of the standings as they have a better run-rate than Australia after achieving two contrasting victories. The Black Caps cruised to a 10 wicket win against Sri Lanka in their opening game, but had to toil hard for a two-wicket victory against Bangladesh on Wednesday at The Oval in London. In Afghanistan, they will find a side who have failed to show enough power in their batting. Guldabin Naib's side enter the match on Saturday having received a seven-wicket thrashing at the hands of Australia in Bristol before they were skittled for 152 against Sri Lanka in 33 overs chasing a target of 202. Afghanistan were also dealt a blow after wicketkeeper Mohammad Shahzad was ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury. He was replaced in the squad by 18-year-old Akram Ali Khil. For the Kiwis, veteran Ross Taylor's form will be a huge boost but Williamson will want his other batsmen to arrest the slide they encountered against Bangladesh while chasing a modest 245 for victory. At one point, New Zealand were coasting to the total at 160/3 but a sudden collapse left them on the brink before Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson took them over the line. For the Afghans, Mohammad Nabi took four wickets while star spinner Rashid Khan scalped two as they bowled out Sri Lanka for 201. But it was their batting that let them down with none of the batsmen able to make their mark. WATCH OUT FOR - Trent Boult

Trent Boult will need to fire at some point in this World Cup if New Zealand are to lift the trophy. Against Afghanistan could be a great match to find form.

Trent Boult has been overshadowed so far in this tournament by the ever reliable Matt Henry and the raw pace of Lockie Ferguson. Coming up against one of the lower ranked sides in the tournament will give Boult the opportunity to find his form.   PREDICTION After failing to capitalise with their batting against Sri Lanka to record a maiden win in this years tournament, it's hard to fathom how Afghanistan will be able to overcome the might of the New Zealand side. New Zealand have impressed more than many had originally expected, whilst being one of the favourites at the beginning of the tournament, they find themselves as the team to beat in this years tournament. Unfortunately for the Afghans, New Zealand will be too strong on Saturday. New Zealand to win by 80-100 runs or 5-7 wickets

STATISTICS

HEAD TO HEAD ODI Matches: 1 New Zealand: 1

Afghanistan: 0

HEAD TO HEAD IN WORLD CUPS Matches: 1 New Zealand: 1

Afghanistan: 0

WORLD CUP RECORDS

New Zealand

Matches: 82

Won: 50

Lost: 30

Best Result - Runners-Up (2015)

Afghanistan

Matches: 7

Won: 1

Lost: 6

Best Result - Group Stage (2015)

ODI Record since World Cup 2015: New Zealand

Matches: 79

Won: 45

Lost: 30

Afghanistan

Matches: 64

Won: 34

Lost: 26