Relentless Rain Halts Afghanistan Vs New Zealand Test In Greater Noida, Match On Verge Of Washout

Greater Noida – Continuous rainfall has disrupted the first-ever Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand for the second consecutive day, leaving the historic encounter on the verge of a washout. Play was called off before the scheduled start time once again, with no balls bowled in the first four days of the Test.

Over 1200 mm of rain has drenched the Greater Noida stadium over the past seven days, leaving the ground unplayable. “The scale of rainfall has made it absolutely impossible for cricket today,” said the match broadcaster. “Day five looks bleak, and we expect an early abandonment tomorrow morning.”

Ground conditions remain dire, with large puddles in the outfield and drenched covers across the pitch. Players from both teams stayed in their hotels, as play was abandoned early on day four, just like the previous day. The toss is yet to take place.

Rain delays of this magnitude are rare in cricket. There have only been three previous instances in the past decade where play was abandoned for four days, including matches in India vs South Africa (2015), Bangladesh vs South Africa (2015), and West Indies vs India (2016).

If the final day is washed out, this will be the eighth Test match in the history of men’s cricket to be abandoned without a ball being bowled, the last occurring in 1998 in Dunedin between India and New Zealand.

This one-off Test marks Afghanistan’s 10th since they attained Full Member status in 2017. For New Zealand, this match is the start of their subcontinent tour, which includes two Tests in Sri Lanka and three in India. Unlike those upcoming games, this fixture is not part of the ICC World Test Championship.