In what was supposed to be a thrilling moment for cricket enthusiasts, the one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand has sadly been abandoned without a single ball being bowled. This marks only the eighth time in history that a Test match has faced such a fate, casting a shadow over what could have been a significant occasion for both teams.
September 13, 2024, started with high hopes as this match would have been Afghanistan’s first-ever Test against New Zealand. Regrettably, the weather had other plans, with constant rainfall rendering the pitch and outfield unplayable. The officials had to make the tough call to cancel the match before the players could even toss a coin, leaving everyone feeling a sense of disappointment.
Since the inception of Test cricket in 1877, only seven prior matches have been abandoned without a ball being bowled, making this a truly rare event in the game’s storied history. The last incident occurred nearly 26 years ago, adding to the uniqueness of this situation.
Digging deeper into the reasons for the match’s cancellation reveals some of the infrastructural challenges faced by the Greater Noida venue. Reports indicate that the ground suffered from inadequate drainage facilities, hampering efforts to prepare the pitch for play.
Days of relentless rain saturated the outfield to the point where it became unmanageable, raising questions about the venue’s suitability for hosting international matches in the future.
