Rain Delays Afghanistan and New Zealand Cricket Test
Persistent rainfall is preventing the cricket Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand in the Greater Noida Sports Complex from taking place. The drainage system at the sports ground has struggled to keep up with the heavy rain, leaving several areas of the field waterlogged. As a result, the match has been postponed for the second consecutive day.
Concerns are rising that the entire match might have to be canceled due to the grim conditions. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has acknowledged the severity of the situation and remains committed to making every effort to allow the Test to begin. However, the continual wet weather presents a significant challenge. Menhajuddin Raz, ACB's international cricket manager, stated that no venue could host a game in such heavy rain.
Despite no rainfall occurring during daytime hours, the match has still not been able to start. Information obtained by ESPNcricinfo revealed that the issue lies with the non-sand-based outfield and its poor capacity for water absorption and drying. The ground's drainage system has also been considerably overwhelmed due to the intense rainfall.
The small area of the ground that is protected from the weather - the main square housing the playing surface and practice pitches, and the 30-yard circle - continues to sustain substantial rain damage. The field has become slippery, with pockets of water retention on the outfield and within the inner circle of the ground. This poses a risk to players, with one official noting the ground's surface has started to shift underfoot, rendering it unfit for play.
Further, Afghanistan's opening batter, Ibrahim Zadran, has been ruled out of the Test after slipping and twisting his ankle during practice. The official believes this injury was a result of the field's deteriorating condition. As host, ACB is responsible for ensuring the venue is fit for the match and is receiving assistance from BCCI in this regard. However, current efforts to dry the field and make conditions suitable for the match have been, thus far, unsuccessful.
The continued wet weather has also limited training opportunities for both teams. New Zealand was only able to undertake some light training on Tuesday, with fast bowlers struggling to perform a full run-up. The ground urgently needs sunlight to help dry and stabilize the surface. As a non-ICC World Test Championship match, this Test match's fate continues to hang in the balance.
