The much-anticipated one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand has fallen victim to the unrelenting rain, with the third and final day called off on Wednesday. The match, hosted at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium in Greater Noida, is now teetering on the brink of being abandoned without a single ball bowled due to the persistent wet conditions.
The stadium, Afghanistan’s adopted home ground, has been plagued by problems since the match began. Heavy rain has been falling since Tuesday night, turning the outfield into a waterlogged mess and forcing the cancellation of play on both the first and second days. The venue, hosting its first-ever Test match, has come under fire for lacking world-class facilities and, critically, proper drainage.
The disappointing turn of events has cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a historic occasion for Afghanistan, playing in their 10th Test match. Meanwhile, New Zealand will now travel to Sri Lanka for two Tests beginning next week before returning to India for a red-ball series.
With the match hanging in the balance, cricket fans worldwide are hoping for a glimmer of hope, a break in the weather that might allow for a shortened contest. However, the current outlook appears bleak, leaving the fate of this Test match uncertain.
