New Zealand vs Afghanistan LIVE: Cricket score and updates as Kiwis take early wickets in run chase

Follow all the action from M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai as Afghanistan face New Zealand

Top Latham top-scored with 68 as New Zealand set Afghanistan 289 to win (AP)

Follow live coverage of New Zealand vs Afghanistan from the ODI World Cup today.

Afghanistan have already secured a shock victory in the 2023 Cricket World Cup, against England. They stunned Jos Buttler’s side, and beat the defending champions, who suffered their second loss of the tournament so far, denting their chances of semi-final qualification.

New Zealand have come into the tournament firing on all cylinders. They stormed to a nine-wicket victory against England in the first game of the tournament, in Ahmedabad, and have followed it up with wins over Bangladesh and the Netherlands.

If Afghanistan can perform as they did against England, and they will be hoping for a spin-friendly pitch, then it will truly be an exciting World Cup.

Follow all the latest live coverage of today's match in the live blog below:

New Zealand vs Afghanistan LIVE: ODI World Cup updates

• New Zealand want to build on flawless start to Cricket World Cup
• Afghanistan have won the toss and chosen to bowl
• Afghanistan take three wickets in nine balls for just one run

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

6.6

Trent Boult to Rahmat Shah. Length ball, middle stump on the back foot dropped, to silly mid off for no runs, fielded by Santner.

18 October 2023 14:27

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

6.5

Trent Boult to Hashmatullah Shahidi. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to deep backward point for 1 run, fielded by Henry.

18 October 2023 14:26

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

6.3

Trent Boult to Hashmatullah Shahidi. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, back to bowler for no runs.

18 October 2023 14:25

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

6.1

OUT! Caught. Trent Boult to Ibrahim Zadran. Length ball, down leg side on the front foot working, leading edge in the air uncontrolled to short extra cover, caught by Santner.

18 October 2023 14:23

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

5.6

Matt Henry to Rahmat Shah. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, to silly mid on for no runs, fielded by Ravindra.

18 October 2023 14:22

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

5.5

OUT! Bowled. Matt Henry to Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, inside edge.

18 October 2023 14:20

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

5.4

Matt Henry to Ibrahim Zadran. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed to silly mid on for 1 run, shy attempt by Chapman, fielded by Young.

18 October 2023 14:19

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

5.2

SIX! Matt Henry to Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed in the air under control over long off for 6 runs.

18 October 2023 14:18

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

5.1

Matt Henry to Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, top edge to first slip for no runs, fielded by Mitchell.

18 October 2023 14:17

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

4.5

Trent Boult to Ibrahim Zadran. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, missed for no runs, mis-fielded by Latham, fielded by Mitchell.

18 October 2023 14:16