Afghanistan to host New Zealand for one-off Test in India

This historic game will take place at the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida

PHOTO: AFP

Afghanistan is set to host New Zealand for a one-off Test match in September 2024, according to the Times of India.

This historic game will take place at the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, marking the first time these two teams will face each other in the Test format.

Since earning Test status in 2017, Afghanistan has played nine Tests but has not yet faced New Zealand. Unlike Australia, which has refused to play bilateral matches against Afghanistan due to the Taliban's restrictions on female participation in sports since 2021, New Zealand has no objections to competing against Afghanistan.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has secured permission from the BCCI to play its home matches in India, resuming this arrangement after a four-year hiatus.

Afghanistan will be returning to Greater Noida for the first time since 2020, with the BCCI allotting three 'home' venues to Afghanistan: Greater Noida, Kanpur, and Lucknow.

Previously, Afghanistan was scheduled to host Bangladesh in Greater Noida for a full series in July, including two Tests and white-ball matches.

However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) postponed the series due to unfavorable weather conditions in North India.

For New Zealand, the one-off Test against Afghanistan will serve as an excellent warm-up for their upcoming three-match Test series against India, scheduled for October and November.

The itinerary for New Zealand's tour of India is as follows: