AFG vs NZ 2024, Only Test: Pathetic drainage, rain concludes actionless Greater Noida match

Greater Noida. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Unfortunately, the historic first-ever Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand got abandoned after no play was possible on the five days. After the first four days of the Test match saw no action whatsoever, fans would have hoped to see some cricket on Day 5 on Friday, September 13. However, incessant rain at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground forced the umpires to call the match off without the toss.

The first two days of the Test match saw the ground staff putting in a lot of effort to dry the several wet patches on the ground, as overnight rain caused a lot of damage. Eventually, the poor drainage facilities at the ground didn’t allow the match to get underway. Meanwhile, Day 3 and 4 of the Test match was abandoned due to rain. A similar story transpired on Day 5 as the incessant rain left the match officials with no choice but to abandon what would have been a momentous Test match.

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“It is still raining in Greater Noida and due to frequent rains, the 5th and final day of Afghanistan vs New Zealand test has been also called off by the match officials.” Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) updated on Friday.

A lot of questions were already being raised with ACB’s scheduling and the infrastructure of the ground. After Day 5 was also abandoned, more and more tough questions will be asked. This would have been only the 10th Test match for Afghanistan on their cricketing journey. The Blue Tigers do not play too many red-ball games, and this was a rare opportunity to test their skills against the former World Test Champions.

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However, they will have to shift their focus to a three-match ODI series against South Africa in the UAE, which begins on Wednesday, September 18. Meanwhile, this one-off Test match would have given New Zealand some useful practice ahead of their red-ball assignments against Sri Lanka and India. The Kiwis will now head to Galle to play a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, starting on September 18. After this series, Tim Southee and Co. will return to India in mid-October to play a three-match Test series.