Afghan-New Zealand Test Abandoned Due to Rain in Greater Noida

Afghanistan's historic test match against New Zealand was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to consistent rain in Greater Noida, India. The match was the first scheduled at the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sport Complex. Both teams were disappointed, especially New Zealand, as it impacted their preparations for upcoming tests.

Afghanistan's one-off test against New Zealand became just the eighth match in the format's history to be abandoned without a ball being bowled after rain washed out the fifth and final day in India's Greater Noida region on Friday.

The first-ever test scheduled between the sides was marred by a steady downpour for more than two weeks in the region. Compounding the disappointment, it was the inaugural test at the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sport Complex near Delhi. Afghanistan has been playing their home matches abroad due to security concerns for visiting teams.

The Afghan board chose Greater Noida over other Indian venues because it is closer to Delhi, thus easing travel logistics from Kabul. "We're disappointed. We'd geared ourselves up, and we'd trained really well," Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott told reporters. He added that the situation serves as a lesson that all aspects of test matches must be thoroughly checked and prepared.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead expressed frustration over missing the chance to acclimatize to sub-continental conditions ahead of their upcoming busy test schedule in Asia. "The most disappointing part for us is that we lost the opportunity to be match-hardened and match-ready when we go into our test match (against Sri Lanka) next week," Stead said. New Zealand will now fly to Sri Lanka on Saturday for a two-test series in Galle starting September 18.

(With inputs from agencies.)