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Afghanistan vs New Zealand, One-Off Test Day 2, Highlights: Day 2 Called-Off Without Toss Due To Wet Outfield In Noida | Cricket News
The much-anticipated Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand in Greater Noida faced an unexpected halt as Day 2 was called off without a toss due to a wet outfield. The unfortunate turn of events has left both teams and fans disappointed, with Afghanistan’s cricket board expressing frustration over the condition of the facilities at the stadium.
Afghanistan’s Disappointment with Greater Noida Stadium
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has slammed the facilities at the Greater Noida Stadium, calling it a “huge mess” and vowing never to return. The ACB’s statement came after the groundstaff were seen digging up the ground in bizarre scenes, further delaying the match.
“We are deeply disappointed with the condition of the ground and the facilities here. It’s a huge mess, and we will never come back here again,” said an ACB official.
Groundstaff’s Efforts to Salvage the Match
In a desperate attempt to save the Test match, electric fans were used to dry the wet outfield. However, the efforts proved futile as the outfield remained unplayable, forcing the officials to call off the day’s play.
The use of electric fans to dry the outfield is an unusual sight in cricket, highlighting the groundstaff’s desperation to ensure the match could continue.
Impact on the Series and Future Matches
The cancellation of Day 2’s play has raised concerns about the future of the series and the possibility of rescheduling the match. The ACB’s strong reaction to the stadium’s conditions may prompt them to consider alternative venues for future matches.
Cricket fans and pundits have expressed their disappointment at the turn of events, with many questioning the preparedness of the Greater Noida Stadium to host international matches.
Conclusion
The calling off of Day 2 of the Afghanistan vs New Zealand Test match due to a wet outfield has brought the Greater Noida Stadium’s facilities under scrutiny. The ACB’s strong reaction and the groundstaff’s unusual methods to salvage the match have added to the controversy surrounding the event.
As the cricketing world awaits further updates on the series, the incident has sparked a debate on the need for better infrastructure and preparedness to host international cricket matches in non-traditional venues.
