The historic one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand got off to a damp start as play did not get underway on the first day at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground in Greater Noida, India.
Afghanistan are hosting New Zealand for a one-off Test at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, a venue that is making its Test debut.
However, the start hasn't gone to plan as toss has been delayed by over four hours now despite no signs of rain since the morning of the game.
There have also been several reports of mismanagement and lack of basic facilities at the venue by reporters present there. Some have also faced issues with media accreditation ahead of the Test match.
Utter mismanagement at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium. No basic facilities available at the venue and nobody seems to know how to get things sorted.
— Shayan Acharya (@ShayanAcharya) September 9, 2024
This doesn't look like a Test match. @sportstarweb pic.twitter.com/zVbJMYhTHD
Why was Greater Noida chosen as venue for #AFGvsNZ test? This is the first time a test will be played here. Lots of cry here over lack of infrastructure for an international game.
— Cricketologist (@AMP86793444) September 9, 2024
Who decided the venue? Was it ACB or BCCI? Could they not play in a better ground? Just curious. https://t.co/aQu2V41ETQ
Even getting an accreditation card is such a big hassle
— Priyarag Verma (@priyarag) September 9, 2024
No rain since morning
While rain disrupted the practice session for New Zealand a day before the start of the match, there hasn't been any rain since the morning of Day One.
More rain in Noida means no training has been possible today. Fingers crossed for tomorrow’s first day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Play LIVE in NZ from 4:30pm on @skysportnz #AFGvNZ pic.twitter.com/ZlsQ0LqEHz
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 8, 2024
Repeated inspections by the match officials have revealed wet patches on the ground, especially around the bowlers' run-ups, exposing the substandard drainage facilities at the venue.
As of now, the latest inspection is scheduled for 3pm local time, five hours after play was originally supposed to start.
Afghanistan captain calls for permanent home venue
BCCI has allowed Afghanistan to host "home" games at various venues in India, including Greater Noida. Afghanistan have already hosted five ODIs and six T20Is at this venue, between 2017-2020. They have also hosted games in Dehradun and Lucknow in India.
However, Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi has called for stability in allotment of "home" venues. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, he said: "India is our home and when we host teams, the other nations have played more cricket than us here. So hopefully we will get one good venue here in India and we stick with that."
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