The much-anticipated Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand, set to take place at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, faced major setbacks due to poor stadium conditions. The first day of the historic one-off Test was completely washed out, not because of heavy rains, but due to inadequate drainage and overall mismanagement at the venue.
Poor Ground Conditions Despite No Rain
Despite clear skies and only light drizzle the night before, the outfield remained too wet to play. The ground staff struggled throughout the day to get the field ready, but their efforts were not enough. Umpires inspected the pitch six times, hoping for an improvement, but the condition at areas like mid-on and mid-wicket was still a concern. New Zealand’s captain Tim Southee, along with players Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra, also came to check the field conditions, but with no success.
The day was called off at 4 pm after a long delay, with no cricket being played. The toss for the match is now scheduled for the next morning at 9 am, and the teams are expected to make up for lost time by playing 98 overs a day for the remaining four days.
Lack of Facilities Frustrates Both Teams and Fans
The mismanagement wasn’t limited to the pitch. Afghanistan’s head coach Jonathan Trott expressed frustration, especially since the Super Soppers, essential for drying the ground, were brought in only after 1 pm. Worse still, the ground staff resorted to using table fans to dry the field during Afghanistan’s practice session, an embarrassing sight for a high-profile international Test match.
Additionally, the stadium’s lack of modern amenities made things even more difficult. There was inadequate seating for fans, and media facilities were poor, with no water or electricity supplies and a lack of basic facilities like toilets. With no proper announcement system, fans were left in the dark about the match’s status, creating chaos and confusion.
Afghan Captain Criticizes Greater Noida Stadium Ahead of Historic Test Match
Afghanistan Cricket Board Displeased
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) expressed its displeasure with the situation. An ACB official stated, “This is a mess, we will never come back here. The players are also unhappy with the facilities.” The official added that prior assurances had been made about the stadium being prepared, but the reality on the ground was disappointing.
Although the Test match is not part of the ICC World Test Championship, it is still an ICC-recognized event, which raises questions about the professionalism of the stadium authorities. Since the stadium does not fall under the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association’s purview, it will be interesting to see if the BCCI, specifically vice-president Rajiv Shukla, intervene to resolve these issues.
The players, officials, and fans had high hopes for this match, but the mismanagement at the Greater Noida stadium turned the opening day into a frustrating experience for all involved.
