The Afghanistan vs New Zealand Test match in Greater Noida, near New Delhi, has been delayed for the second day due to heavy rain and poor pitch conditions. The ground staff are trying to dry out wet areas using electric fans and tarpaulins. Umpires are expected to inspect the pitch at 3 pm IST, but the chances of play starting are still low.
Efforts to Prepare the Pitch
The match, which was supposed to begin on Monday, has faced continuous delays. The ground crew has used electric fans to dry the wet patches on the field. They also covered parts of the pitch with tarpaulins and added dry soil and fresh turf to fix the wet spots. Despite efforts, the game has yet to start, and even the toss hasn’t taken place.
Umpires to Inspect the Pitch
The umpires will examine the pitch at 3 pm IST to decide if play can begin, but with the soaked outfield, it seems unlikely that the match will start soon.
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Teams Waiting for Better Conditions
Even though the sun was shining on Tuesday, the field remained wet due to the rain from earlier days. While waiting, New Zealand’s players spent time throwing rugby balls, and both teams stayed in their hotels throughout the morning.
Venue History and ACB’s Reaction
Since 2017, Afghanistan has hosted several T20 and ODI matches at this ground with help from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, an Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) official expressed frustration, stating, “This is a huge mess. We are never coming back here,” as reported by Indian media.
This Test match is Afghanistan’s 10th overall, but no statements have been made by the New Zealand team yet. They are scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka for a Test series before returning to India for another three-Test series.
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