Cricket

Unrelenting Rain Forces Abandonment of Historic Afghanistan-New Zealand TestGreater Noida, India - The inaugural Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand has been abandoned without a ball being bowled due to incessant rainfall that has plagued the venue for the past seven days.The relentless downpour has left the outfield waterlogged and unplayable, making it impossible to conduct any meaningful cricket. The decision to abandon the match was made before the scheduled start time on the second day, leaving both teams disappointed and fans heartbroken."There has been more than 1200 mm of rain over seven days," a broadcast message stated. "The scale of rainfall has made it absolutely impossible for cricket today. We are going to come back on day five just in case, but the reality is there will be absolutely no prospect of play. We can't envisage anything else but an abandonment very early tomorrow morning."This marks the first time since 1998 that a men's Test match has been abandoned without a ball being bowled. The previous instance occurred in Dunedin, New Zealand, during India's tour of the country.The abandonment of the Afghanistan-New Zealand Test is a major setback for both teams, who were eager to make history in this historic encounter. Afghanistan was playing its first-ever Test match, while New Zealand was looking to extend its impressive record in the format.The weather conditions have also taken a toll on the players and support staff, who have been forced to endure long delays and uncertainty. The abandonment of the match will undoubtedly leave a bitter taste in the mouths of all involved.

The historic one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was marred by deplorable conditions at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, leading to the cancellation of the opening day's play.Despite the absence of rain throughout Monday, the subpar drainage and woeful facilities rendered the outfield unplayable. The inexperienced ground staff struggled to prepare the field, with the sack of sawdust proving more active than the players.Umpires conducted six inspections throughout the day, with New Zealand players, including skipper Tim Southee, assessing the conditions. However, the mid-on and mid-wicket areas remained a concern, along with patches within the 30-yard circle.The lack of modern facilities extended beyond the field, impacting operations off the pitch. The venue lacked a proper media stand and adequate seating for fans. Accredited media faced inconveniences such as a lack of water, power supply, and access to a female washroom.The absence of a public announcement system left fans unaware of the situation. Poor communication and mismanagement between the stadium authority and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) further exacerbated the situation."This is a huge mess, we are never coming back here. The players are also unhappy with the facilities here," said an ACB official.The stadium, managed by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority, has a history of hosting matches marred by controversy. It was banned by the BCCI in 2017 due to match-fixing during corporate matches.Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi had previously urged the BCCI and ACB to arrange a suitable home venue for the team. "India is our home, and when we host teams, other nations have played more cricket here," he said.Despite not being part of the World Test Championship, the Test is an ICC-affiliated tournament. The stadium's shortcomings have raised questions about the BCCI's role in ensuring adequate facilities for international matches.

The inaugural Test match between New Zealand and Afghanistan, scheduled to commence on Monday, was unfortunately marred by inclement weather, resulting in the abandonment of the opening day's play. Despite multiple inspections throughout the day, the outfield remained saturated, rendering it unsuitable for play.The lack of a modern drainage system at the venue has exacerbated the situation, as heavy rainfall over the past week has left the ground waterlogged. With forecasts predicting continued rain and thunderstorms throughout the week, the extent of the disruption to the Test remains uncertain.This highly anticipated encounter marks the first-ever Test between New Zealand and Afghanistan, who were granted Test status in 2017. Afghanistan, with 10 Tests under their belt, have faced setbacks in their recent outings, suffering defeats against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Ireland.For New Zealand, this Test serves as their first since March and initiates a demanding schedule in the subcontinent. The Black Caps will embark on a three-Test series against India in October-November, adding to their already packed itinerary.The weather-induced postponement has cast a shadow over the historic occasion, but both teams remain hopeful that the conditions will improve, allowing for a competitive and memorable Test match.

Afghanistan's historic one-off Test against New Zealand in India has garnered much anticipation, particularly from Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin has highlighted the potential of two young Afghan batters, Riaz Hassan and Bahir Shah, who have impressed in domestic cricket.Ashwin believes that Hassan and Shah could emulate the impact of former Indian stars Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif, who played a pivotal role in India's Test resurgence in the early 2000s. He noted that both Hassan and Shah possess promising first-class averages exceeding 55."This one-off Test will be fun to watch," Ashwin wrote on social media. "Afghanistan produces insane talent, but they need solidity in their batting department. I'm excited to see what Riaz Hassan and Bahir Shah have to offer."Afghanistan's batting lineup has been a concern, with Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah being the only consistent performers. Hassan and Shah's inclusion could provide the stability and depth that the team needs.Ahead of the Test, Afghanistan batter Rahmat Shah expressed confidence in his team's chances. "We have past experience of playing in India, so we have an edge," Shah said. "We will try to give New Zealand a tough time."New Zealand, the inaugural World Test Championship champions, will be a formidable opponent. However, Afghanistan's familiarity with Indian conditions could give them an advantage.The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand will be a significant milestone for Afghan cricket. It will provide a platform for Hassan and Shah to showcase their talent and potentially inspire a new generation of Afghan Test cricketers.

Afghanistan Opener Ibrahim Zadran Doubtful for Historic Test Against New ZealandAfghanistan's hopes of a strong start in their inaugural Test match against New Zealand have been dealt a blow with the injury to opening batter Ibrahim Zadran. The 22-year-old sustained an ankle injury during the team's final practice session in Greater Noida on Sunday, just a day before the historic encounter."Today, in the practice session, Ibrahim had an injury in his ankle. But it's not sure 100 percent what will happen tomorrow. We will see what will happen with him," Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi said at the pre-match press conference.Zadran's absence would be a significant setback for Afghanistan, as he has been a key contributor in their Test matches. He has played seven of Afghanistan's nine Tests, scoring 384 runs at an average of 32.00, including a maiden century against Sri Lanka earlier this year.The injury to Zadran adds to Afghanistan's already depleted squad, as they are also without star spinner Rashid Khan. The absence of these two key players could make it challenging for Afghanistan to compete against a strong New Zealand side.Persistent rain has also hampered the preparations for both teams, with the practice sessions being disrupted. The weather forecast for the Test match is also uncertain, with rain predicted for the first few days.Despite the challenges, Afghanistan will be determined to make a strong impression in their first-ever Test match. They will be led by experienced skipper Shahidi, who has played 10 Tests and scored over 500 runs.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be looking to continue their dominance in Test cricket. They are ranked second in the ICC Test rankings and have a strong squad led by captain Kane Williamson.The one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand will be a historic occasion for both teams. It will be the first time that Afghanistan has played a Test match against a top-ranked nation, and it will also be the first Test match to be played in Greater Noida.

Afghanistan's Test cricket aspirations hinge on securing a permanent home venue in India, according to captain Hashmatullah Shahidi. Currently unable to host international matches at home, Afghanistan has been forced to play their home Tests at various locations in India, including Dehradun, Lucknow, and Abu Dhabi.Shahidi believes that establishing a single home venue would significantly enhance Afghanistan's performance in red-ball cricket. "If we stick with one venue, it will be more effective for us," he said. "We know our own conditions very well. So hopefully that time comes in future that teams come to Afghanistan."Afghanistan's Test record has been limited, with only nine matches played in six years. However, Shahidi is eager for more opportunities against top-ranked teams. "If we get a lot more chances with the good teams, we will improve," he said. "I think if we get more chances on regular basis, we will improve a lot."Shahidi also expressed a desire for longer Test series, believing that it would provide Afghanistan with valuable experience. "If we get three- or four-match series in one time, I think it will be very good for us as a side," he said. "Playing matches will make us even better on judging the ball and playing good cricket in red-ball format."Despite their limited Test experience, Afghanistan has made significant strides in white-ball cricket, reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Shahidi is confident that Afghanistan can achieve similar success in Test cricket. "We want to show to the world our best format is Test cricket," he said. "I think we have that ability to do it and need to show it."However, the upcoming Test against New Zealand in Greater Noida is threatened by inclement weather, with rain and thunderstorms forecast for the coming week. It remains to be seen how much red-ball action Afghanistan will get from this match.

Afghanistan has announced its 16-member squad for the upcoming one-off Test against New Zealand, scheduled to commence on March 9 in Greater Noida. The squad features three uncapped players: opening batter Riaz Hassan, offspin allrounder Shamsurrahman, and pacer Khalil Ahmed.In the absence of injured star spinner Rashid Khan, Zahir Khan and Zia-ur-Rehman will spearhead the spin attack. Fast bowler Naveed Zadran, who impressed with a five-wicket haul in the Test against Ireland, has been ruled out due to a side strain.The squad was finalized after a ten-day preparation camp in Greater Noida, where 19 players participated. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and the coaching staff consulted to select the final 16.Ikram Alikhil and Afsar Zazai will compete for the wicketkeeper's role. The squad also includes experienced players like Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, and Abdul Malik.Afghanistan will be eager to make a strong impression against New Zealand, who are ranked sixth in the ICC Test rankings. The match will be a crucial test for the Afghan team, which is aiming to improve its standing in the Test arena.

New Zealand's formidable Test squad, led by veteran pacer Tim Southee, has arrived in India for their historic one-off Test against Afghanistan. The match, scheduled for September 9 at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, marks the first red-ball encounter between the two nations.The BlackCaps boast a star-studded lineup, including former skipper Kane Williamson, who recently opted out of a central contract. Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra add depth to the batting order, while Tom Latham remains the vice-captain.Recognizing the importance of spin bowling in Indian conditions, New Zealand has included five spin options in Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, and part-timers Phillips and Ravindra. They will hold their first practice session on Friday.This Test serves as a crucial preparation for New Zealand's upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka, which is part of the World Test Championship (WTC). After Sri Lanka, the BlackCaps will return to India for a three-match Test series against Rohit Sharma's men, also part of the WTC calendar.The three games against India will be played in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai in October and November. New Zealand currently sits third in the ICC WTC points table, behind India and Australia.This historic Test against Afghanistan provides a valuable opportunity for both teams to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience ahead of the upcoming WTC challenges.

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan's star leg-spinner, has been ruled out of the upcoming one-off Test against New Zealand due to a back injury. The injury occurred while Khan was playing for Speen Ghar Tigers in the Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL), Afghanistan's domestic T20 tournament.Khan played three consecutive matches in the SCL from August 18, taking six wickets at an impressive average of 9.33 and an economy rate of 5.09. However, during his third game, he experienced pain in his back and was forced to miss SGT's next match two days later.This is not the first time Khan has suffered a back injury. He underwent surgery after the World Cup in India last year, which sidelined him for four months. He also suffered a hamstring strain while representing Trent Rockets at the Hundred a week before his recent back trouble.Afghanistan have begun training in Noida for the Test against New Zealand, which will be the first time the two teams have faced each other in the format. The match will also be the first Test to be played at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground.After the Test against New Zealand, Afghanistan will fly to Sharjah to play a three-match ODI series against South Africa from September 18.