Afghanistan vs New Zealand First Test at Greater Noida’s Shahid Vijay Singh
The first-ever Test between the two sides will be played at the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida.
Following receiving the Test status in 2017, Afghanistan has thus far played nine matches but is yet to face 2021 World Test Champions New Zealand in the format.
Reports further claimed that New Zealand, unlike their neighbor Australia, holds a completely contrasting stance on engaging in a bilateral series against Afghanistan.
Notably, the relations between Cricket Australia (CA) and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) have been far from encouraging after the former entity pulled out of the three-match T20I series, citing deteriorating women’s rights in the Taliban-ruled country.
Cricket Australia said it had received advice “that conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan are getting worse” and postponed the three-match series scheduled in August, likely to have been hosted by the UAE.
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB)
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) expresses disappointment over Cricket Australia’s decision to postpone yet another bilateral series against Afghanistan and reiterates its stance on neutral and politics-free cricket across the globe,” said a statement.
The decision was the third time since 2021, when the Taliban returned to power, that Australia has refused to play Afghanistan outside of international tournaments.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan has once again been given the nod by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to play their home matches in India.
Consequently, Afghanistan will be playing its first home match in India after a gap of almost four years.
According to the aforementioned report, the BCCI has allocated three home venues for Afghanistan, Greater Noida, Kanpur, and Lucknow.
Notably, the one-off Test against Afghanistan will serve as a stepping stone for New Zealand to prepare for their three-match series against India, scheduled in October-November.
Schedule for New Zealand’s three-match Test series against India
First Test: 16 to 20 October, Bengaluru
Second Test: 24 to 28 October, Pune
Third Test: 01 to 05 November, Mumbai
