The one-off test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand in Greater Noida was called off with a bowl being bowled. This is the only eighth such test match in the history of test cricket that has been called off without a ball being bowled.
It is the first time in 91 years that a Test match on Indian soil has been called off before a ball has been bowled. Previously, just one match in Asia was called off without a ball being bowled. It happened during a 1998 match between Pakistan and Zimbabwe in Faisalabad. Overall, just seven Tests have been abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Due to a damp outfield, the first two days of the game were postponed, creating serious questions about the readiness of the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida. Then the rain continued for the next three days, washing everything away.
Even after an inspection on Friday morning, it was inevitable that the match would be called off before the toss occurred since there were still standing water puddles on the exposed portions of the outfield.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board released a statement saying, “It is still raining in Greater Noida, and due to frequent rains, the 5th and final day of the Afghanistan vs New Zealand Test has been called off by the match officials.”
Over the last week, Greater Noida has seen nonstop rain, and the first two days were ruined by a soggy outfield brought on by a subpar ground drainage system. The play had to be abandoned early on days three and four due to rain.
The ACB had earlier said that they were offered the chance to host this Test in either Bengaluru or Kanpur; however, they opted for the Greater Noida venue because the other two were scheduled to host BCCI events (the just-ended Duleep Trophy round one, and the impending India-Bangladesh second Test).
Since 1890, just seven Test matches have been abandoned without a ball being bowled. The last time this happened was about 26 years ago, in 1998. It happened to be a match with the Kiwis. They were slated to face India in Dunedin, New Zealand. However, this is the first time such an event has occurred in India.
List of Test Matches abandoned without a ball bowled
- England vs Australia, Old Trafford, 1890
- England vs Australia, Old Trafford, 1938
- Australia vs England, Melbourne Cricket Ground, 1970
- New Zealand vs Pakistan, Dunedin, 1989
- West Indies vs England, Bourda, Georgetown, 1990
- Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, Faisalabad, 1998
- New Zealand vs India, Dunedin, 1998
- Afghanistan vs New Zealand, Greater Noida, 2024
