The highly anticipated one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium in Greater Noida was unfortunately abandoned without a single ball being bowled over the five days. Persistent rainfall and an inadequate outfield prevented the umpires from starting the match even once.
The stadium facilities faced criticism for their inability to prepare the surface for play despite a full day without rain. The match officials had no choice but to abandon the match completely on Friday, leaving both teams disappointed.
Despite the lack of on-field action, Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott revealed that his players remained active by hitting the gym in preparation for their upcoming series against South Africa in the UAE. “We tried getting a couple of gym sessions and making sure the players are really active and working hard,” Trott said. “We’ve got a one-day series coming up against South Africa, so we’ve had an eye on that, making sure our players are ready for the next series.”
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead echoed Trott’s sentiments, stating that his players engaged in hallway cricket in their hotel and had multiple gym sessions. “A lot of hallway cricket in the hotel. Lots of playing spin and things like that,” Stead said. “This was the first of six Tests in Asia for us, so it’s disappointing to lose the opportunity to be match-ready for our next Test match next week.”
The abandoned match highlights the challenges faced by cricket boards in organizing matches during the monsoon season in India. The Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium’s drainage system and outfield preparation came under scrutiny, raising questions about the suitability of the venue for international matches.
Despite the disappointment, both Afghanistan and New Zealand will look to move forward and prepare for their upcoming series. Afghanistan will face South Africa in a one-day series in the UAE, while New Zealand will embark on a three-Test tour of India followed by two Tests in Sri Lanka.
