T20 WORLD CUP: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Sunday’s T20 World Cup game between NEW ZEALAND v AFGHANISTAN with a recommended BETDAQ bet.

MATCH OVERVIEW:

The pressure, oh the pressure! All eyes will be on Abu Dhabi on Sunday at the T20 World Cup as New Zealand take on Afghanistan. We could see some dramatic in-running swings on BETDAQ Betting Exchange with so much on the line here. After India’s massive win against Scotland on Friday, the situation in the group has dramatically changed. India were always going to finish very strongly given their last two fixtures came against Scotland and Namibia, but essentially they have knocked out Afghanistan bar a huge win here.

After beating Scotland, India’s net run rate is 1.619 and Afghanistan sit on 1.481. Both have the same number of points, and with India expected to beat Namibia easily, Afghanistan need a big win here. New Zealand don’t need to win big, but they do need to win. They have a two point advantage over India as the sides head into their final game, but they also have a much worse net run rate than India as it’s sitting on 1.277 so a loss would essentially knock New Zealand out too.

Fair to say this is a massive game. You can’t beat knock out cricket. A win for Afghanistan would knock out both sides, and there’s no doubt all of India will be behind Afghanistan. They certainly have the talent to win, and this being a day game could really be an advantage to Afghanistan with their spinners. New Zealand have been rock solid so far since losing to Pakistan, but this will be a huge test for them. A fascinating match awaits.

WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

Before the weekend, it was hard to actually see what a par score was. We have had plenty of minnows play at this ground and it’s just be tricky to see what a par score is because we basically haven’t had an even game so to speak. Chasing has definitely been an advantage in the night games, but I don’t think it’s such an advantage in the early games. The best guide might be Saturday’s game here between Australia and West Indies, but West Indies haven’t been great either. I would definitely bat first whatever happens here as I feel batting in the heat of the day is a slight advantage to bowling.

RECOMMENDED BET:

Afghanistan are an excellent side, but they aren’t quite high quality. You have to acknowledge the slight gulf in class here – after all New Zealand lost the ODI World Cup in a Super Over and then they are also World Test Champions. However, Afghanistan have some fantastic spinners in their line-up and given the pressure involved in this game, I feel a small bet on Afghanistan is worth having at 3.0. I expect a closer game than those odds suggest – the middle order didn’t really cope with Pakistan, and the Afghanistan spinners can have success here.

The Edge Says:
One point win Afghanistan to beat New Zealand at 3.0 with BETDAQ Exchange.

View the market here -> https://bit.ly/BDQNZAfg

IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

I would go into this game with a pretty open mind for in-running strategy. I would watch the Australia v West Indies game here on Saturday closely and possibly note down to angles, but before a ball is bowled I would suggest that batting first offers a slight edge. If the team batting first is well set heading into the final five overs, the wheels can sometimes fall off the bowling side with the heat kicking in. Regardless of who bats first, I would be keen to take on the New Zealand middle order with the Afghanistan spinners, but I would be careful looking for trades on Afghanistan while batting – they can be very hit and miss, and this New Zealand attack is quite impressive.