Greater Noida’s Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, despite its lack of prominence in the domestic cricket circuit, has found itself in the national spotlight as the host of a one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand. However, the stadium’s unsuitability for hosting such a high-profile event has raised questions about its preparedness.
The stadium, maintained by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA), lacks the infrastructure and trained personnel necessary for handling wet outfield conditions. The absence of adequate covers and equipment for quick drying has resulted in the cancellation of play on the first two days of the Test match.
The stadium’s history of hosting cricket matches is limited, with its last BCCI-sanctioned match being an U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy contest in 2019. Despite being the ‘home’ ground of the Afghan cricket team, it has only hosted three T20 matches between Afghanistan and Ireland in 2020.
The stadium’s lack of maintenance has also been a concern, with sources indicating that it has not been properly cared for in recent years. This has contributed to its unsuitability for hosting serious cricket matches.
The match referee’s report on the stadium’s preparedness is eagerly awaited, as it will shed light on the reasons behind the venue’s selection for the Test match. The incident has raised questions about the BCCI’s decision-making process and the need for stricter criteria for selecting venues for international cricket matches.
