AFG vs NZ: ACB's controversial Test venue choice leads to backlash

The highly anticipated one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground has been mired in controversy, as the first two days were abandoned due to a wet outfield despite no rainfall during match hours. 

The issues with the ground conditions have drawn sharp attention, with ground staff attempting both traditional and unconventional methods to dry out affected areas, but to no avail.

Despite clear skies on Day 2 (Tuesday), damp patches on the field prevented play from starting, leading to further frustrations. Day 3 was also abandoned due to rain. 

In light of the delays, Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) International Cricket Manager Menhajuddin Raz revealed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had given Afghanistan three venue options – Kanpur, Bengaluru, and Greater Noida – and the Greater Noida was chosen for logistical convenience.

“The BCCI offered us three venues – Kanpur, Bengaluru, and this one. We chose to play at Greater Noida as it was most convenient in terms of logistics. It was a two-hour drive from Delhi airport,” Menhajuddin Raz said.

“The venue has always been Afghanistan's home venue. If we talk about back from 2016, we have been playing games here. It is because of the rain. Yesterday also, it rained. We had a three-day game here with one of the local teams, which went well. We didn't face any issues. But when the rain started, all of this happened,” he added.

Raz noted that Greater Noida has been Afghanistan's home venue since 2016, with prior matches going smoothly until the recent bout of rain. Afghanistan has hosted 11 white-ball international matches at this venue, with Dehradun being the only other Indian ground they have used.

“We had conducted a recce four to six months back, and even the visiting team had done their recce. So there was no issue” Raz said.

“We tried working on a solution to shift the game, and they said that because of the same rain, you will not be able to actually prepare the venue for you in the coming next 24 hours,” he concluded.