Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra opened up after New Zealand’s massive 149-run win against Afghanistan at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday and predicted the World Cup 2023 finalists.
New Zealand have won four out of four wins the in the mega event and is the only unbeaten side alongside India, who won three out of three matches are set to take on Bangladesh on October 19 in Pune.
Chopra opined after the Black Caps’ thumping win and predicted the World Cup 2023 final saying that it will not come as a surprise if New Zealand and India end up facing each other at the Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19.
“What an incredible team New Zealand is. Won’t be surprised if it’s India v NZ in the finals. Really early call…let’s see how it eventually unfolds. #CWC23,” Chopra wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
It is worth mentioning but India and New Zealand are playing as a unit and beating their opponents in a one-sided manner.
India recorded comfortable wins against Australia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, while the Black Caps overcame England, the Netherlands, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
Earlier today, The Black Caps — led by Tom Latham — recorded their fourth consecutive win in the mega event and seem to be leading the race to the event’s semi-final.
Trent Boult and Matt Henry gave early blows to Afghanistan who were chasing a massive 289-run target on the tricky wicket of Chennai, which troubled the New Zealand batters in the first innings as well.
The Afghans had high hopes from their star opener, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, but the 21-year-old looked hopeless against Henry and was bowled out for just 11 runs.
The entire Afghanistan team were all out for just 139 runs, losing the game by a massive 149-run margin.
Batting first, New Zealand managed to post a colossal 289-run target and Hashmatullah Shahidi’s men have no one, but themselves to blame.
Afghanistan’s fielders dropped catches on five different occasions, giving more and more chances to Glenn Phillips and Tom Latham — who rescued the Kiwis from 110-4 and built a significant 144-run partnership.
Phillips scored 71 off 80 while Latham contributed to 68 off 74 runs. The remaining damage was done by Mark Chapman, who played a quick knock, scoring 25 off 12 with three boundaries.
