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The highly anticipated Afghanistan vs New Zealand one-off Test match, scheduled for Friday at the Greater Noida Stadium in India, was unfortunately abandoned without a single ball bowled. This unprecedented event marks a historic first for Indian cricket, as it became the first instance on Indian soil where a Test match was completely abandoned without any play. This unfortunate outcome is a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather and its impact on sporting events, particularly in the five-day format of Test cricket.
The decision to abandon the match was made due to a combination of inadequate facilities and adverse weather conditions. The Greater Noida Stadium, which hosted its first Test match in 2010, faced challenges in preparing a suitable pitch for the match, particularly given the recent heavy rainfall in the region. The persistent rain throughout the day leading up to the scheduled start of the match rendered the outfield unplayable, making it impossible to even conduct the toss. The cancellation of the match due to weather is not a new phenomenon in Test cricket, with a history of matches being abandoned without a ball being bowled. This is the first time, however, that such a scenario has occurred in India, and it raises questions about the preparedness of the venue and the logistical challenges that can arise during such situations.
The Afghanistan vs New Zealand Test match cancellation adds to a list of 7 other matches in cricket history that have been abandoned without any play. The earliest recorded instance occurred on August 25, 1890, at Old Trafford, Manchester, where the Test between Australia and England was called off due to rain, and neither team captains met for a toss. Another match at the same venue on July 8, 1938, between Australia and England also suffered from rain, with no toss taking place. On December 31, 1970, a Test between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was abandoned as soon as the players stepped onto the field due to rain. The fourth instance was on February 3, 1989, at Carisbrook, Dunedin, where the Test between New Zealand and Pakistan was abandoned due to heavy rain. Despite this, an ODI was scheduled for February 6, 1989, and went ahead as planned.
On March 10, 1990, the Test match between England and West Indies at Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana, was also abandoned due to rain, although an ODI was played on the fifth day. In 1998, two matches were abandoned without any play. The first on December 17 at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, between Pakistan and Zimbabwe, saw no teams announced for the Test, leading to its abandonment. The second on December 18, at Carisbrook, Dunedin, between India and New Zealand was abandoned on Day 3, with an unofficial ODI scheduled for Day 4 instead. While the cancellation of the Afghanistan vs New Zealand Test match is a disappointment for fans and players alike, it serves as a reminder of the inherent challenges that can arise in a sport so heavily reliant on weather conditions. It also highlights the importance of proper preparation, effective drainage systems, and contingency plans at sporting venues to minimize disruptions due to unpredictable weather patterns.