The highly anticipated one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex got off to a disappointing start. Due to the venue's poor drainage system, a drenched outfield, and substandard facilities, the opening day was called off without a single ball being bowled. Despite rain disrupting the buildup to the match, which was the first Test between the two nations, New Zealand couldn’t even complete a proper practice session in the days leading up to the game.
Although there was no rain during the day on Monday, the ground’s outdated infrastructure left the ground staff struggling to make the field playable. The use of sawdust far exceeded any activity on the pitch as the inexperienced staff tried to make the field ready.
The umpires made a total of six inspections throughout the day, with several New Zealand players, including captain Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner, and Rachin Ravindra, checking the field themselves to assess the conditions.
Areas around mid-on and mid-wicket remained problematic, and multiple patches inside the 30-yard circle were still not fit for play. Despite a bright spell of sunshine, which raised hopes of play resuming, they were soon dashed when New Zealand’s Kane Williamson made a cautious walk towards the pitch around 2pm IST.
Afghanistan’s coach, Jonathan Trott, was visibly frustrated as he observed the groundsmen struggle to manage the situation. The Super Soppers, which could have expedited the process, were inexplicably deployed only after 1pm.
At around 4pm, the officials finally called off the day’s play. The toss is now scheduled for 9am tomorrow, with each of the remaining four days accommodating 98 overs, starting at 9.30am instead of 10am.
Leading up to the Test, the ground staff had to resort to using table fans to dry out the field for Afghanistan's training sessions, reflecting the lack of modern facilities.
The disorganization extended off the field as well. The venue lacked proper infrastructure, including an adequate media stand and sufficient seating arrangements for fans. Accredited media personnel faced multiple challenges, such as the absence of water, electricity, and even a female washroom. Meanwhile, spectators were left in the dark due to the lack of a public announcement system.
The entire situation was marked by poor communication and gross mismanagement between the stadium authorities and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
"This is a huge mess, we are never coming back here. The players are also unhappy with the facilities here," an ACB official stated.
"We had spoken with the concerned people well in advance and were assured by the stadium guys that everything will be in order (pertaining to the media facilities)," the official added. Though the Test match is not part of the World Test Championship, it is an ICC-affiliated tournament.
The Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, managed by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority, previously hosted a pink ball Duleep Trophy match in 2016. However, the stadium was banned by the BCCI in September 2017 due to match-fixing issues during corporate matches. No BCCI-affiliated game has been held at this venue since.
This ground has served as a home venue for Afghanistan in the past.
"Nothing has changed since we came here. It's not improved one bit," said another ACB official, expressing frustration.
Ahead of the match, Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi had urged both the ACB and the BCCI to ensure a better home venue for Afghanistan’s matches in India.
"India is our home, and when we host teams, other nations have played more cricket here," Shahidi stated on the eve of the Test against New Zealand.
"Hopefully, we will get a good venue here in India and if we restrict ourselves to one venue, it will be effective for us. Hopefully, the ACB and the BCCI will get us a good venue," he said.
Though the stadium does not fall under the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association, it will be interesting to see if BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla intervenes to address these issues.
Although there was no rain during the day on Monday, the ground’s outdated infrastructure left the ground staff struggling to make the field playable. The use of sawdust far exceeded any activity on the pitch as the inexperienced staff tried to make the field ready.
The umpires made a total of six inspections throughout the day, with several New Zealand players, including captain Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner, and Rachin Ravindra, checking the field themselves to assess the conditions.
Areas around mid-on and mid-wicket remained problematic, and multiple patches inside the 30-yard circle were still not fit for play. Despite a bright spell of sunshine, which raised hopes of play resuming, they were soon dashed when New Zealand’s Kane Williamson made a cautious walk towards the pitch around 2pm IST.
Afghanistan’s coach, Jonathan Trott, was visibly frustrated as he observed the groundsmen struggle to manage the situation. The Super Soppers, which could have expedited the process, were inexplicably deployed only after 1pm.
At around 4pm, the officials finally called off the day’s play. The toss is now scheduled for 9am tomorrow, with each of the remaining four days accommodating 98 overs, starting at 9.30am instead of 10am.
Leading up to the Test, the ground staff had to resort to using table fans to dry out the field for Afghanistan's training sessions, reflecting the lack of modern facilities.
The disorganization extended off the field as well. The venue lacked proper infrastructure, including an adequate media stand and sufficient seating arrangements for fans. Accredited media personnel faced multiple challenges, such as the absence of water, electricity, and even a female washroom. Meanwhile, spectators were left in the dark due to the lack of a public announcement system.
The entire situation was marked by poor communication and gross mismanagement between the stadium authorities and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
"This is a huge mess, we are never coming back here. The players are also unhappy with the facilities here," an ACB official stated.
"We had spoken with the concerned people well in advance and were assured by the stadium guys that everything will be in order (pertaining to the media facilities)," the official added. Though the Test match is not part of the World Test Championship, it is an ICC-affiliated tournament.
The Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, managed by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority, previously hosted a pink ball Duleep Trophy match in 2016. However, the stadium was banned by the BCCI in September 2017 due to match-fixing issues during corporate matches. No BCCI-affiliated game has been held at this venue since.
This ground has served as a home venue for Afghanistan in the past.
"Nothing has changed since we came here. It's not improved one bit," said another ACB official, expressing frustration.
Ahead of the match, Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi had urged both the ACB and the BCCI to ensure a better home venue for Afghanistan’s matches in India.
"India is our home, and when we host teams, other nations have played more cricket here," Shahidi stated on the eve of the Test against New Zealand.
"Hopefully, we will get a good venue here in India and if we restrict ourselves to one venue, it will be effective for us. Hopefully, the ACB and the BCCI will get us a good venue," he said.
Though the stadium does not fall under the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association, it will be interesting to see if BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla intervenes to address these issues.
