AFG vs NZ One off Test: During the first session of the one-off Test involving Afghanistan and New Zealand, Shaheed Vijay Singh’s Pathik in Greater Noida was confronted with a damp and sloppy pitch. The sun shined brightly throughout the majority of the period, the sky was clear, and perhaps most importantly, there was no rain. The first day of the inaugural Testing match between the two countries had to be called off due to a wet outfield, considering the mild conditions.
The outfield got so soaked from Sunday’s nonstop rainfall that it was impossible to play on Monday during the whole day. The management lacked sufficient coverings to protect the entire surface from rain, and an inadequate drainage system made matters worse for the ill-prepared and unskilled ground crew, who used the antiquated technique of drying the damp areas before applying the supersoppers. As a matter of fact, the sawdust sack was more active than the players.
Throughout the day, the match officials carried out six inspections in total, but they decided to end play before a ball was bowled. Both players and spectators were equally irritated by the lack of attendance on the first day of the one-off Test.
AFG vs NZ One off Test:
The Kiwis continued to leave the changing area in groups to see how wet it was near the field, and they always came back unhappy. Similar to how the groundsmen were struggling, Afghanistan’s coach Jonathan Trott appeared disappointed.
Star batter Ibrahim Zadran hurt his ankle during the team’s final practice on Sunday, dealing a serious blow to the hosts. He was later found to have slipped on one of the damp areas of the field, resulting in an injury that will prevent him from playing in this match as well as the next three-match ODI series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates later this month.
It is understood by News Sportsatoz that the Afghanistan management as a whole is dissatisfied with the venue’s amenities. The publication also learned from a few ACB officials that they had insisted on having this Test match played in Dehradun or Lucknow, the teams’ previous Test match sites. But only the Greater Noida facility was open because their state T20 leagues were using the other locations.
The venue, which the BCCI banned in 2017, has previously hosted Duleep Trophy matches in 2016 and served as Afghanistan’s home pitch. Shahidi, however, has pleaded with the BCCI and ACB to set up “a good home venue” for the squad moving ahead.
“We are from India, and we have hosted more international cricket teams here. In India, hopefully, we’ll find a suitable location, and if we stick to that one, it will work out well for us. During the Sunday pre-match press conference, Shahidi had stated, “Hopefully, the BCCI and the ACB will get us a good venue.”
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