The one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand, scheduled to be held in Greater Noida, was abandoned without a single ball being bowled. This rare occurrence marks only the eighth time in Test cricket history that such a situation has unfolded. Despite efforts to salvage the game, poor weather and an ill-prepared outfield led to its cancellation. The Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex faced significant scrutiny due to its inability to handle the challenging conditions, raising concerns about its preparedness for hosting international matches.
The first two days of the match were canceled because of a wet outfield, despite clear skies and sunshine. Umpires, prioritizing player safety, ruled out any possibility of play, highlighting the unsafe conditions, especially in the midwicket area, where attempts were made to transplant dry grass from the practice area. Unfortunately, the remaining three days were also washed out due to persistent rain, and an inspection held on the final day confirmed that the game would be called off. Puddles of water were still present in sections of the outfield that lacked proper covering, making it impossible to start the game.
This incident reflects poorly on the venue’s infrastructure and facilities. The absence of essential equipment like proper ground covers, sub-par drainage systems, inadequate super-soppers, and an undertrained ground staff proved costly. Even though efforts were made to improve the situation, including assistance from the BCCI, the Delhi & District Cricket Association, and the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association, they were too late to save the match.
“It is still raining in Greater Noida and due to frequent rains, the 5th and final day of the Afghanistan vs New Zealand Test has been called off by the match officials,” the Afghanistan Cricket Board stated in a statement.
Interestingly, this marks the first time in Indian Test cricket history that a match has been abandoned without a ball being bowled, although such incidents have occurred seven times globally. The last such event was in 1998, involving New Zealand’s tour of India in Dunedin. For Afghanistan, this abandoned match is particularly disappointing as they have limited opportunities to play Test cricket, especially against prominent nations like New Zealand. This match was not part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle, but it would have been an important fixture for Afghanistan, who were granted Test status in 2017 and had played only nine international red-ball games prior to this.
Match referee Javagal Srinath is expected to submit a report on the preparedness of the venue, which could have significant consequences for the stadium’s future in hosting international matches. This abandonment puts a spotlight on the need for improved infrastructure and better ground management, particularly in regions that may face unpredictable weather.
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