Ground staff faced challenges due to rain on the first two days of the Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand near New Delhi. Despite efforts to dry the pitch using electric fans, play was called off. The venue, Greater Noida, has basic drainage facilities and was criticized for its ill-equipped facilities. The outfield remained soaked despite sunshine on both days. Afghanistan has hosted several matches at this venue since 2017.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has offered Afghanistan venues in Indian cities like Lucknow and Dehradun. Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials expressed disappointment with the situation and stated that they may not come back to this venue. However, they acknowledged the hard work put in by all involved, including the ground authorities. This was only Afghanistan’s 10th Test match since gaining test status in 2017. New Zealand did not give any public reaction and will soon travel to Sri Lanka for more Test matches.
Despite the efforts of the ground staff, including using electric fans to dry the pitch, the Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand was called off for two consecutive days due to rain and poor ground conditions at Greater Noida near New Delhi. The venue, hosting its first Test match, was criticized for its basic drainage facilities. Despite the efforts to cover the pitch and use fans to dry wet patches, play could not commence. Afghanistan has hosted several matches at this venue since 2017.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has offered Afghanistan venues in other Indian cities like Lucknow and Dehradun, but Afghanistan opted for Greater Noida due to logistical convenience. Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials expressed disappointment with the situation, indicating that they may not return to this venue in the future. Despite the challenges faced, ACB officials appreciated the hard work put in by everyone involved, including the ground authorities. This Test match was only Afghanistan’s 10th since gaining Test status in 2017.
The ACB international cricket manager, Menhajuddin Naz, stated that even if the match had been held at a different venue, it would have been difficult to resume play on time due to the weather conditions. Naz mentioned that they had the option to host the Test in other cities like Kanpur or Bengaluru, but chose Greater Noida for logistical reasons. This match was New Zealand’s first Test in India since 1988, and there was no public reaction from the team regarding the cancellation of the match. Afghanistan will now look ahead to their upcoming fixtures in other countries.
In conclusion, despite the efforts made by the ground staff and officials, the Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at Greater Noida faced challenges due to rain and poor ground conditions. The lack of proper drainage facilities led to the cancellation of play for two consecutive days. The ACB officials expressed disappointment with the situation but acknowledged the hard work put in by all involved. Afghanistan will now look to regroup and focus on their upcoming matches in different venues. The cancellation of this Test match serves as a reminder of the importance of adequate facilities and preparedness for such weather-related challenges in cricket.
