• Source:JND
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The opening day of the highly anticipated one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand was called off without a single ball being bowled due to a wet outfield at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground on Monday.

Despite clear skies throughout the day, the outfield remained unplayable due to the effects of heavy overnight rain. The drainage facilities at the venue were unable to fully handle the water, leaving large portions of the ground damp. Notably, there were no covers on the field, and super-soppers worked tirelessly to prepare the surface for play, but it was in vain.

Multiple inspections were carried out, but concerns over the wet outfield and the bowlers' run-up areas ultimately forced officials to abandon play for the day. The conditions were never deemed fit enough to even conduct the toss.

The toss has been rescheduled for 9 AM on Tuesday, with both teams hoping to get underway on the second day. To make up for lost time, the remaining four days of the match will feature 98 overs each, starting at 9:30 AM instead of the usual 10 AM.

The current Test is not part of the World Test Championship but the Kiwis have the opportunity to acclimatise to subcontinental conditions ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka and India in the coming months.

On the other hand, Afghanistan, who have played two one-off Tests against Sri Lanka and Ireland earlier this year, are in search of their first red-ball win since 2021.

"About Test cricket, 100% we want to improve. We want to show to the world our best format is Test cricket. And I mentioned before that we accept all kinds of challenges, and I am telling the boys also that these opportunities are very big opportunities for us, each and every one to show our skill, to show our talent and make" if I am a batsman, make a big score, big runs," Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said on Sunday.

"So your name will be among the big names in the future. So if you want that, this is the place and time to show. I think we have that ability to do it and need to show it," he added.