The much-anticipated one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand got off to a disastrous start on Monday, with the entire day’s play being washed out due to poor ground conditions. Despite a dry and sunny afternoon, the outfield at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium in Greater Noida remained unplayable, leaving both teams and spectators disappointed.
While the morning saw cloudy skies, the weather cleared as the day progressed. However, the ground staff struggled to prepare the pitch, failing to get it ready for play despite the sun shining. This led to a frustrating wait for the players, media, and the thousands of fans who had turned up. Even with rollers being brought in and saw dust applied to the damp areas, particularly around mid-on, the situation didn’t improve.
The stadium, managed by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority, has been criticized for its lack of modern facilities and manpower. This lack of infrastructure was evident on Monday, with the ground staff struggling to get the ground ready. New Zealand players Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, and Rachin Ravindra inspected the pitch but were clearly unhappy with its condition.
Adding to the frustration, there was miscommunication between the stadium authorities and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). The venue lacked basic amenities like drinking water and toilets, forcing ACB’s official photographer to step in and distribute packed lunch boxes to the media.
Despite the disappointing start, ACB officials expressed hope that things will improve over the remaining four days. “We had laid out a plan and shared it with the stadium authorities well in advance, but things were in a mess. But we have taken things under our control and hopefully, there will be no such problems going forward,” a source in the ACB said.
The Greater Noida stadium, hosting its first international fixture since March 2020, once again faced criticism for its poor infrastructure. Sources suggest that the ACB is likely to request the BCCI to provide a different home venue for future matches. This incident highlights the need for better facilities and preparation for international cricket matches in the country, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for both players and spectators.
