The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was washed out on Friday after five days of rain, just the eighth Test in history to be abandoned without a ball being bowled. Afghanistan's adopted home ground at Greater Noida, on New Delhi's outskirts, has been hit by persistent rain, forcing officials to call the match off without even staging the toss. However, there were also question marks about the venue, which was hosting its first-ever Test and has only basic drainage and facilities.

Despite some sunshine on day one and two, the outfield remained soaked. Afghanistan are unable to host international matches because of the security situation at home.&nbsp; The last time an entire Test match was washed out was in December 1998, when New Zealand hosted India in Dunedin. An abandoned 1970 Test match between Australia and England in Melbourne gave birth to one-day international cricket.

The two teams in that contest decided to play a 40-over contest on the originally scheduled fifth day once the weather had relented, and it was later officially recognised as the first-ever ODI.&nbsp;

Unusual methods were used to dry the ground this week at Greater Noida with electric fans used on wet patches that were also dug up and replaced with new mud and grass. The tactics proved futile as unrelenting rain on day three, four and five pelted the ground, which was left with covers and puddles.

Afghanistan have successfully played six Twenty20 and five one-day internationals at the Greater Noida venue since 2017.&nbsp; The country's cricket board said they chose it again over other options due its proximity to the Delhi airport.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/afghanistans-rashid-khan-to-return-from-injury-for-south-africa-odi-series-758208">Afghanistan's Rashid Khan to return from injury for South Africa ODI series</a>

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has offered Afghanistan venues to train and host matches outside their troubled nation. Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials have been cautious about criticism, fearing it could spoil relations with the BCCI.

Afghanistan have participated in nine prior Tests after getting five-day status in 2017 and made a bruising introduction in 2018 when they lost their debut match to India inside two days.

They have improved in the years since, winning three Tests. Tim Southee's New Zealand, who did not complete a single training session due to the weather, will next travel to Sri Lanka for two Tests before returning for three more against India.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was washed out on Friday after five days of rain, just the eighth Test in history to be abandoned without a ball being bowled.

The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was washed out on Friday after five days of rain, just the eighth Test in history to be abandoned without a ball being bowled. Afghanistan's adopted home ground at Greater Noida, on New Delhi's outskirts, has been hit by persistent rain, forcing officials to call the match off without even staging the toss. However, there were also question marks about the venue, which was hosting its first-ever Test and has only basic drainage and facilities. Despite some sunshine on day one and two, the outfield remained soaked. Afghanistan are unable to host international matches because of the security situation at home. The last time an entire Test match was washed out was in December 1998, when New Zealand hosted India in Dunedin. An abandoned 1970 Test match between Australia and England in Melbourne gave birth to one-day international cricket. The two teams in that contest decided to play a 40-over contest on the originally scheduled fifth day once the weather had relented, and it was later officially recognised as the first-ever ODI. Unusual methods were used to dry the ground this week at Greater Noida with electric fans used on wet patches that were also dug up and replaced with new mud and grass. The tactics proved futile as unrelenting rain on day three, four and five pelted the ground, which was left with covers and puddles. Afghanistan have successfully played six Twenty20 and five one-day internationals at the Greater Noida venue since 2017. The country's cricket board said they chose it again over other options due its proximity to the Delhi airport. Also read: Afghanistan's Rashid Khan to return from injury for South Africa ODI series The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has offered Afghanistan venues to train and host matches outside their troubled nation. Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials have been cautious about criticism, fearing it could spoil relations with the BCCI. Afghanistan have participated in nine prior Tests after getting five-day status in 2017 and made a bruising introduction in 2018 when they lost their debut match to India inside two days. They have improved in the years since, winning three Tests. Tim Southee's New Zealand, who did not complete a single training session due to the weather, will next travel to Sri Lanka for two Tests before returning for three more against India. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Afghanistan vs New Zealand one-off Test abandoned without ball being bowled

Things went from bad to worse at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida on Wednesday (Sep 11) after Day 3 of the only Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand was called off due to heavy rain. The stadium located in the National Capital Region (NCR) has&nbsp;experienced&nbsp;heavy rains in the last 12-15 hours resulting in poor filed conditions. Already under the spotlight for lackluster&nbsp;management, the rain late Tuesday night&nbsp;worsened the playing conditions meaning there would have been&nbsp;no play on the third day with the toss yet to take place between Afghanistan and New Zealand.

<h2>Rain plays spoilsport</h2>

Having seen the opening two days of the only Test match get washed out due to poor playing conditions, it went from bad to worse on Wednesday. Heavy rains struck the New Delhi Capital Region (NCR) on Tuesday evening, meaning the already sub-par conditions of the stadium became worse for playing. Considering the poor management and sub-par equipment to improve the conditions had the rain stopped, the umpires decided to call off Day 3.

The weather forecast also played a key role in the umpires and match referee’s decision as more rain is expected to hit the region.

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The decision also means the historic Test match is on the brink of unwanted history as the toss is yet to take place. With Day 3 being washed out, there will be only two days for the Test match to take place, in case the playing conditions are deemed fit.

<h2>History on cards</h2>

In case the match does not take place, it will go down in the International Cricket Council (ICC) records as an abandoned contest. This&nbsp;will be the first match since December 1998 when a Test match has been abandoned without a ball being bowled. New Zealand and India were the last teams to be involved in an abandoned Test match.

Things went from bad to worse at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida on Wednesday (Sep 11) after Day 3 of the only Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand was called off due to heavy rain.

Things went from bad to worse at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida on Wednesday (Sep 11) after Day 3 of the only Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand was called off due to heavy rain. The stadium located in the National Capital Region (NCR) has experienced heavy rains in the last 12-15 hours resulting in poor filed conditions. Already under the spotlight for lackluster management, the rain late Tuesday night worsened the playing conditions meaning there would have been no play on the third day with the toss yet to take place between Afghanistan and New Zealand. Rain plays spoilsport Having seen the opening two days of the only Test match get washed out due to poor playing conditions, it went from bad to worse on Wednesday. Heavy rains struck the New Delhi Capital Region (NCR) on Tuesday evening, meaning the already sub-par conditions of the stadium became worse for playing. Considering the poor management and sub-par equipment to improve the conditions had the rain stopped, the umpires decided to call off Day 3. The weather forecast also played a key role in the umpires and match referee’s decision as more rain is expected to hit the region. ALSO READ | 'Mbappé can be the next Ballon d'Or winner': Cristiano Ronaldo backs French star to shine at Real Madrid The decision also means the historic Test match is on the brink of unwanted history as the toss is yet to take place. With Day 3 being washed out, there will be only two days for the Test match to take place, in case the playing conditions are deemed fit. History on cards In case the match does not take place, it will go down in the International Cricket Council (ICC) records as an abandoned contest. This will be the first match since December 1998 when a Test match has been abandoned without a ball being bowled. New Zealand and India were the last teams to be involved in an abandoned Test match.

AFG vs NZ, Only Test: Embarrassment continues as Day 3 called off after rain plays spoilsport in Greater Noida

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has endured a tough start on their adventure on a new adapted home ground in India’s Greater Noida. With a historic one-off Test, which was set to take place at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex against New Zealand from Monday (Sep 9), the match has been&nbsp;nothing but a huge mess for the organisers after rain and poor faculties saw the opening day of the contest get washed out. While rain has played spoilsport, it is the poor drainage, players' hospitality and media facilities that have hit the headlines.

<h2>Poor facilities highlight&nbsp;Afghanistan vs New Zealand contest</h2>

At the time of writing on Day 2 of the match, the toss was yet to take place while media personnel raised complaints about poor facilities which included lack of water and improper food. On the other hand, there were no separate washrooms for female officials, highlighting the mismanagement.

However, the biggest issue that caught the eye of the ACB officials was the poor drainage facility. Despite no rain on Day 1, it was the poor subpar drainage facility that restricted play to start on Day 1. Overnight rain had seen the stadium affected by poor outfield, but the lack of infrastructure came as a big embarrassment for the ACB officials.

"This is a huge mess, we are never coming back here. The players are also unhappy with the facilities here," an ACB official said.

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"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)," he added.

While the match is not part of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, it is still an International Cricket Council (ICC) affiliated contest, meaning it will impact the player and team ratings.

While there remains no alternative to switch the venue or postpone the match, the ACB will be determined to not repeat such a scenario in the future. Currently, the nearest cricket ground available is Delhi Arun Jaitley Stadium but is unlikely to be available due to its preparations for the upcoming Bangladesh tour. The same goes for Kanpur’s Green Park which is around 400km away from Greater Noida as that venue too is engaged for India’s series against Bangladesh.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has endured a tough start on their adventure on a new adapted home ground in India’s Greater Noida. With a historic one-off Test, which was set to take place at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex against New Zealand from Monday (Sep 9), the match has been nothing but a huge mess for the organisers after rain and poor faculties saw the opening day of the contest get washed out.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has endured a tough start on their adventure on a new adapted home ground in India’s Greater Noida. With a historic one-off Test, which was set to take place at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex against New Zealand from Monday (Sep 9), the match has been nothing but a huge mess for the organisers after rain and poor faculties saw the opening day of the contest get washed out. While rain has played spoilsport, it is the poor drainage, players' hospitality and media facilities that have hit the headlines. Poor facilities highlight Afghanistan vs New Zealand contest At the time of writing on Day 2 of the match, the toss was yet to take place while media personnel raised complaints about poor facilities which included lack of water and improper food. On the other hand, there were no separate washrooms for female officials, highlighting the mismanagement. However, the biggest issue that caught the eye of the ACB officials was the poor drainage facility. Despite no rain on Day 1, it was the poor subpar drainage facility that restricted play to start on Day 1. Overnight rain had seen the stadium affected by poor outfield, but the lack of infrastructure came as a big embarrassment for the ACB officials. "This is a huge mess, we are never coming back here. The players are also unhappy with the facilities here," an ACB official said. ALSO READ | IND vs BAN, 1st Test: KL Rahul likely to get the nod in Playing XI ahead of Sarfaraz Khan - Reports "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)," he added. While the match is not part of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, it is still an International Cricket Council (ICC) affiliated contest, meaning it will impact the player and team ratings. While there remains no alternative to switch the venue or postpone the match, the ACB will be determined to not repeat such a scenario in the future. Currently, the nearest cricket ground available is Delhi Arun Jaitley Stadium but is unlikely to be available due to its preparations for the upcoming Bangladesh tour. The same goes for Kanpur’s Green Park which is around 400km away from Greater Noida as that venue too is engaged for India’s series against Bangladesh.

AFG vs NZ: Afghan Cricket Board vows not to return to India's Greater Noida Stadium after opening day debacle

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Afghanistan vs New Zealand one-off Test abandoned without ball being bowled

AFG vs NZ, Only Test: Embarrassment continues as Day 3 called off after rain plays spoilsport in Greater Noida

AFG vs NZ: Afghan Cricket Board vows not to return to India's Greater Noida Stadium after opening day debacle