MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai Pitch Report & Weather Forecast for NZ vs AFG ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Match 16

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MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will stage it's third match of the ICC World Cup 2023 on Wednesday (October 18) when in-form New Zealand will look to keep their 100 percent record intact in match 16 of the tournament against an upbeat Afghanistan.

New Zealand, who will once again be led by Tom Latham in Kane Williamson's absence, come into the match on the back of three wins in three, while Hashmatullah Shahidi's Afghanistan, who opened their campaign with two defeats, are fresh from an upset win.

The two 2023 World Cup matches at the venue in Chennai have seen the wickets offer something for the batters in the first innings, while batting has got easier in the second innings. One match has seen spin come into play in the afternoon, while the other has seen the quicks find some joy.

It is very likely a similar kind of surface could be waiting for Wednesday's match, and if the track offers anything for the spinners, Afghanistan could cause another upset if they get some runs on the board.

The venue has been very well known for slow nature of wickets. And the heat is going to be massive during the afternoon. So, how will the weather and pitch conditions be for NZ vs AFG clash in Chennai? Will rain have an impact? Will dew be a factor in the match?

With some parts of India witnessing showers due to the retreating monsoon, here is a look at the Chennai weather forecast and the MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch report for NZ vs AFG 16th ICC World Cup match:

Chennai Weather Forecast on October 18

There is no threat of rain in Chennai on Wednesday (October 18) or in the lead up to match. It is expected to be a partly sunny day with a maximum temperature of 32° C in the noon, reducing to 29° C at the closing stages, but it's going to be extremely humid in the evening.

With no rain in the last week, there is chance of dew setting in during the latter stages of the game, but that may be overcome by the anti-dew chemicals sprayed on the outfield by the Chepauk Stadium grounstaff. So, how is the Chennai wicket going to play?

MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch report for NZ vs AFG World Cup match

The wickets at the Chepauk are known to be on the slower side, providing assistance to slower bowlers or spinner as the match progresses. The first match at the venue was also a testament to that. However, the second game which was played on different strip, saw pacers also find some joy.

With red soil being used in the pitches at the Chennai venue, spin will definitely play a role even in the NZ vs AFG match. Both teams are stacked in the spin department with New Zealand possessing a few that can also add value with the bat.

The average first innings score at the venue in 232 with only a handful of games seeing totals cross above 300. In the 25 ODIs at the venue, the team batting first have had the edge with 14 wins, while teams chasing have won 10 times, including the two matches in 2023 CWC.

Despite the previous history suggesting the team batting first have won the most ODIs in Chennai, New Zealand may stick to their strength of chasing down a total by restricting Afghanistan around the average total at the venue.