The historic first Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand ended in disappointment, as the game was called off without a single ball being bowled due to relentless rain. It was only the eighth time in the history of Test cricket that a match has been abandoned without any play, and the first such instance since 1998.
The decision to abandon the match came as no surprise, with no play possible in the first four days and heavy rain cutting short the final two days. The match was officially called off at 8:45 a.m. on the fifth morning, as rain returned, rendering conditions unplayable at Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground. A pool of water formed near one of the boundaries, and scattered puddles dotted the outfield.
The game faced concerns about weather and venue conditions even before it began. Despite sunny skies on the first two days, play was not possible due to issues with the outfield, raising questions about the preparedness of the venue. Other than a brief net session for the New Zealand team on the second afternoon, no cricket took place during the five scheduled days of play.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) attributed the disruption to unseasonal rain, with over 1,200mm of rainfall recorded in the Greater Noida area in the week leading up to the match.
Afghanistan will now turn their attention to a three-match ODI series against South Africa in Sharjah. Meanwhile, New Zealand will head to Sri Lanka for two Tests as part of the World Test Championship, before traveling to India for a three-Test series. The Greater Noida Test, which was not part of the WTC, was intended to help New Zealand acclimate to subcontinental conditions—but that preparation was washed away.
