New Delhi: The day 2 of the one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was once again called off without any action due to the wet outfield. The Greater Noida stadium is facing immense scrutiny due to its poor facilities.
The Greater Noida Authority also faced a lot of heat after the groundsmen failed to get the field ready for play despite there being sunshine on both days. Some wet patches in the field made it difficult for the officials to start the play as the players safety was a big concern for them.
The BCCI hasn’t hosted a single domestic game in Greater Noida since the 2019 Vijay Hazare Trophy and might not host any matches in future given the sub-par conditions at the venue. There was no involvement of BCCI in this controversy but the Indian board gave the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) few options to choose including Kanpur, Bengaluru and Greater Noida.
Since Afghanistan have played the majority of matches in Greater Noida they decided to host the match at the venue. The other reason they opted for Greater Noida is because of travel and logistics.
‘Greater Noida has always been Afghanistan’s home venue’: ACB International cricket manager Menhaj Raaz
The Afghanistan board’s international cricket manager Menhajuddin Raz told reporters that the BCCI offered them three venues and they chose to play at Greater Noida because of logistical reasons. He further added that the venue has been Afghanistan home since 2016. Afghanistan have played 11 white-ball matches here before. They also hosted a few games in Dehradun.
“The BCCI offered us three venues – Kanpur, Bengaluru, and this one. We chose to play at Greater Noida as it was most convenient in terms of logistics. It was a two-hour drive from Delhi airport. The venue has always been Afghanistan’s home venue. If we talk about back from 2016, we have been playing games here” Menhaj Raaz said.
He also said that Afghanistan played a three-day game with one of the local teams which went well and the current situation on the ground is because of the rain.
“It is because of the rain. Yesterday also, it rained. We had a three-day game here with one of the local teams which went well. We didn’t face any issues. But when the rain started and all of this happened. We had conducted a recce four to six months back, and even the visiting team had done their recce. So there was no issue” he added.
Greater Noida Stadium has come under the scanner after the one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand didn’t get underway in two days despite no rain. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
