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

45.6

Naveen-ul-Haq to Tom Latham. Half volley, off stump on the front foot flick, inside edge to fine leg for 1 run, fielded by Farooqi.

18 October 2023 13:02

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

45.5

FOUR! Naveen-ul-Haq to Tom Latham. Off cutter back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, well timed in the air under control past deep backward square leg for 4 runs.

18 October 2023 13:01

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

45.4

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Phillips. Off cutter length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, thick edge in the air uncontrolled to deep backward point for 1 run, fielded by Zadran.

18 October 2023 13:01

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

45.3

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Phillips. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long off for 2 runs, dropped catch by Khan.

18 October 2023 13:00

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

45.2

Naveen-ul-Haq to Tom Latham. Off cutter back of a length, off stump backing away pulling, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to fine leg for 1 run, fielded by Farooqi.

18 October 2023 12:59

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

45.1

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Phillips. Off cutter back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, in the air under control to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by Omarzai.

18 October 2023 12:58

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

44.6

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Tom Latham. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, missed for no runs, fielded by Khil.

18 October 2023 12:56

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

44.5

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Glenn Phillips. Length ball, to leg on the front foot driving, to long off for 1 run, fielded by Zurmatai.

18 October 2023 12:55

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

44.4

SIX! Fazalhaq Farooqi to Glenn Phillips. Short, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, well timed in the air under control over deep square leg for 6 runs.

18 October 2023 12:54

New Zealand vs Afghanistan

44.3

SIX! Fazalhaq Farooqi to Glenn Phillips. Off cutter length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, well timed in the air under control over long on for 6 runs.

18 October 2023 12:53