Cricket

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.

New Zealand's upcoming six-Test tour of Asia marks a significant departure from their usual schedule. This unprecedented itinerary, spanning two months, will test their mettle in unfamiliar conditions.Historically, New Zealand has played a maximum of three subcontinent Tests in a single year. However, this eight-week trip, commencing with a one-off match against Afghanistan, followed by two against Sri Lanka, and culminating in three against India, presents a unique challenge.Captain Kane Williamson acknowledges the magnitude of this undertaking. "We don't usually get such a volume of Test cricket, especially in this part of the world," he said.New Zealand's record in Asia is modest, with 16 wins from 90 Tests. Their struggles have been particularly evident in India, where they have managed only two victories in 36 matches.To address this, New Zealand has intensified its efforts to adapt to Asian conditions. Domestic teams have toured the region extensively, and the next generation of players has dedicated significant time to developing their skills in spin-friendly environments.Williamson emphasized the importance of adjusting their game to succeed in Asia. "We're not here consistently in this format, so we need to familiarize ourselves again," he said.Williamson himself, despite his vast experience, has yet to fully master batting in India and Sri Lanka. In 22 innings, he averages 31.36 with only five fifty-plus scores.However, he remains undeterred and eager to embrace the challenge. "It's important that we grow as a unit," he said. "We know it's a tough challenge, but it's always a great experience."New Zealand has bolstered its support staff with the addition of Sri Lankan spin legend Rangana Herath and former India batting coach Vikram Rathour. This move reflects their determination to improve their performance in the 2023-25 cycle of the World Test Championship.Williamson sees the upcoming Tests as a crucial part of their Test Championship campaign. "The value of games is high," he said. "Having six Test matches together is a big part of our calendar."

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.

Ajaz Patel, New Zealand's left-arm spinner, has faced a unique career trajectory. Despite his historic 10-wicket haul in India in 2021, he has struggled to become a regular in the team's playing XI. However, he remains optimistic and is eager to make the most of his opportunities.Patel understands the challenges of being a spinner in a team known for its fast bowlers. He also acknowledges the team's preference for different combinations and conditions. Nevertheless, he admits to some disappointment at not playing more often outside of Asia."It's difficult for all New Zealand spinners," Patel said. "But it breeds more hunger when you come to conditions like this, and you know conditions that are spin-friendly."Despite the limited opportunities, Patel has remained focused on improving his game. He has remodeled his run-up and is constantly seeking ways to develop. He believes that his recent performances have earned him a chance to play more regularly."After the ten wickets, obviously, you're a little bit disappointed because you don't get as many opportunities," Patel said. "But it's still about growing your game and it's an opportunity to develop and grow."Patel is now set to play six Tests in Asia over the next two months. This is a significant opportunity for him to establish himself as a key member of the team. He is excited about the prospect and is eager to learn from Sri Lanka's former ace spinner Rangana Herath, who has joined the New Zealand team on a short-term basis."If you look at me and you look at Rangana, we're pretty similar in terms of our build and body types," Patel said. "So really, really special to have him here and for me, it's a great opportunity to spend some time with him and really understand how he crafted spin bowling."Patel's journey has been a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite the challenges, he has remained focused on his goals and is now on the cusp of a major breakthrough.

New Zealand's Test squad has enlisted the expertise of Rangana Herath and Vikram Rathour for their upcoming six-Test tour of Asia. Herath, a renowned spin-bowling coach, will guide the team's spinners for the next three Tests, including one against Afghanistan and two in Sri Lanka. Rathour, a former Indian batsman, will join the squad for the Afghanistan Test only.New Zealand coach Gary Stead expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that both Herath and Rathour are highly respected in the cricket world. He emphasized the value of Herath's experience for the team's left-arm orthodox spinners, Ajaz Patel, Mitch Santner, and Rachin Ravindra, who will benefit from his insights on the subcontinent's pitches.Herath's knowledge of Galle, the venue for the two Sri Lanka Tests, will be particularly valuable, as he has taken over 100 Test wickets there. After the Sri Lanka tour, New Zealand will face India in three Tests in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai. Only the Afghanistan Test will not count towards the World Test Championship.In addition to Patel, Santner, and Ravindra, New Zealand has offbreak spin options in Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips for the Afghanistan and Sri Lanka Tests. The squad for the India Tests has yet to be announced.Herath, with 433 Test wickets, replaces former Pakistan offspinner Saqlain Mushtaq as New Zealand's spin-bowling coach. Rathour, who played six Tests for India, was most recently India's batting coach and a national selector.

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.

Sophie Devine, the formidable New Zealand all-rounder, has announced her decision to step down as the T20I captain after the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE. However, she will continue to lead the ODI side.Devine, who has captained New Zealand in 56 T20Is, has been a pivotal figure in the team's success. She has led the White Ferns to the final of the 2020 T20 World Cup and the semi-finals of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.However, Devine believes it is the right time to reduce her workload and allow the next generation of leaders to emerge. "I'm very proud to have had the privilege to captain the White Ferns in both formats," she said. "With captaincy comes an additional workload that, while I've enjoyed taking on, can also be challenging at times."Devine's decision to step down from the T20I captaincy will allow her to focus more on her playing role and nurture the future leaders. "I'm not ready to give up ODI captaincy just yet," she added. "But I won't be around forever, so I think stepping away from captaining one format at a time gives the next leaders time to find their feet."Ben Swayer, the head coach, praised Devine's leadership and experience. "Soph is the epitome of a fearless leader and we're really grateful for the leadership she brings to this group on and off the field," he said. "She's one of the most experienced White Ferns ever and her leadership and knowledge of the game has been so valuable as we have introduced several young players into the team over the past two years."Devine is currently recovering from a foot injury ahead of New Zealand's three-match T20I series in Australia next month. The series will serve as preparation for the T20 World Cup, which will be held in the UAE from October 10 to November 13. New Zealand will name their squad for the World Cup on September 10.The decision on who will replace Devine as T20I captain has yet to be made. New Zealand's next series in the format after the World Cup will be against Sri Lanka in March.