Cricket

The highly anticipated one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium in Greater Noida was unfortunately abandoned without a single ball being bowled over the five days. Persistent rainfall and an inadequate outfield prevented the umpires from starting the match even once.The stadium facilities faced criticism for their inability to prepare the surface for play despite a full day without rain. The match officials had no choice but to abandon the match completely on Friday, leaving both teams disappointed.Despite the lack of on-field action, Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott revealed that his players remained active by hitting the gym in preparation for their upcoming series against South Africa in the UAE. "We tried getting a couple of gym sessions and making sure the players are really active and working hard," Trott said. "We've got a one-day series coming up against South Africa, so we've had an eye on that, making sure our players are ready for the next series."New Zealand head coach Gary Stead echoed Trott's sentiments, stating that his players engaged in hallway cricket in their hotel and had multiple gym sessions. "A lot of hallway cricket in the hotel. Lots of playing spin and things like that," Stead said. "This was the first of six Tests in Asia for us, so it's disappointing to lose the opportunity to be match-ready for our next Test match next week."The abandoned match highlights the challenges faced by cricket boards in organizing matches during the monsoon season in India. The Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium's drainage system and outfield preparation came under scrutiny, raising questions about the suitability of the venue for international matches.Despite the disappointment, both Afghanistan and New Zealand will look to move forward and prepare for their upcoming series. Afghanistan will face South Africa in a one-day series in the UAE, while New Zealand will embark on a three-Test tour of India followed by two Tests in Sri Lanka.

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.

Rain Washes Out Texas Super Kings vs. MI New York Match in MorrisvillePersistent rainfall in Morrisville on Friday forced the cancellation of the highly anticipated match between Texas Super Kings and MI New York at the Church Street Park stadium. The inclement weather prevented the toss from taking place, resulting in both teams sharing a point each.The washout did not alter the standings in the league. Texas Super Kings remain in second place, while MI New York holds onto third. The weekend's schedule in Morrisville includes two more matches, with fans hoping for clear skies on both days.On Saturday, the LA Knight Riders will face off against the San Francisco Unicorns. The Knight Riders will return to action on Sunday for a clash with the Washington Freedom.After four matches, the Super Kings have accumulated four points from one win and two no-results. They have suffered one defeat. MI New York has played three matches, earning three points from a win and a no-result. Washington Freedom currently leads the table with five points from three matches.The weather conditions have played a significant role in the tournament so far, with several matches being affected by rain. The teams will be eager to make the most of the remaining fixtures and secure a place in the playoffs.

USA Qualifies for Super Eight in Maiden T20 World Cup AppearanceThe United States cricket team has secured a historic berth in the Super Eight stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup in Florida, despite their final group game against Ireland being abandoned due to inclement weather.The no-result handed USA five points, propelling them to a second-place finish behind India in Group A. The Americans had kicked off their campaign with a thrilling victory over Canada in Dallas, followed by a stunning upset of Pakistan in a Super Over. Although they suffered a setback against India, USA entered the Ireland match needing just a single point to advance.The heavy rainfall that plagued Florida throughout the week left the outfield in Lauderhill saturated on Friday morning. Despite efforts to prepare the ground for play, the rain returned, dashing any hopes of a match.USA's qualification for the Super Eight not only marks a significant milestone in their T20 World Cup debut but also guarantees their automatic qualification for the 2026 edition of the tournament in India and Sri Lanka.The washout eliminated Pakistan, Canada, and Ireland from Group A. All three teams are scheduled to play in Florida over the weekend, weather permitting. Canada will face India on Saturday, while Ireland will take on Pakistan on Sunday. Ireland remains the only team in Group A without a win, having lost to India and Canada before the abandonment against USA.

The incessant downpour at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday washed out the highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) clash between Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad, leaving both teams with a shared point. However, the rain-marred evening witnessed a heartwarming reunion between Gujarat Titans batter Kane Williamson and his former team, Sunrisers Hyderabad.Williamson, who spent eight memorable seasons with SRH from 2015 to 2022, was seen warmly greeting SRH owner Kavya Maran and other management members in the stands. The video of their interaction, shared by SRH on their official Twitter handle, evoked nostalgic memories for fans.Williamson's popularity in Hyderabad is deeply rooted in his significant contributions to the team over the years. Affectionately known as 'Kane mama' by fans, the New Zealand skipper played 76 matches for SRH, amassing 2,101 runs at an impressive average of 36.22. His 18 half-centuries and leadership qualities left an indelible mark on the franchise.As captain, Williamson led SRH in 46 matches, guiding them to the IPL final in 2018, where they narrowly lost to Chennai Super Kings. That season, he also won the Orange Cap, scoring 735 runs at an average of 52.50 and a strike rate of 142.44.Despite the disappointment of the washout, the reunion with Williamson served as a reminder of his lasting impact on SRH and its supporters. As the team gears up for the playoffs, the shared memories and camaraderie between Williamson and his former teammates will undoubtedly provide inspiration and motivation.