Afghanistan vs New Zealand Historical Test Match Disrupted by Weather

The Afghanistan vs New Zealand one-off Test match was disrupted by poor weather and a wet outfield at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium in Greater Noida. On the fifth and final day, it was officially declared abandoned as rain continued to pour, preventing even the toss from taking place. The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced the decision, stating that frequent rains made it impossible for any play to occur.

Historic Abandonment of Test Matches

This Afghanistan vs New Zealand match is noteworthy as it marks the first instance in the 21st century where a Test match ended without a single ball being bowled. Here are some notable historical comparisons:

• 1890, Old Trafford: Australia vs England - Match abandoned due to rain.
• 1938, Old Trafford: Australia vs England - Another match abandoned due to rain.
• 1970, Melbourne Cricket Ground: Australia vs England - Test called off due to rain.

Ground Conditions and Management

The decision to hold the match at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium has faced scrutiny due to several days of abandoned play. The weather has raised questions regarding the management and preparation of the ground facilities under the oversight of the Afghanistan Cricket Board and the local authorities.

Challenges Faced

Despite the efforts to make the ground playable, including the use of pedestal fans and dry grass patches, the match officials deemed the conditions unfit for play. This situation has sparked debate surrounding the responsibilities between the stadium management, the BCCI, and the ACB following the abandoned match.