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The much-anticipated one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium in Greater Noida faced significant delays due to a combination of inclement weather and questionable venue management. While rain played a part, the inadequacy of the stadium's infrastructure and preparation exposed a concerning lack of professionalism and foresight. The match was initially scheduled to begin on Monday, but heavy rain and persistent waterlogging on the field forced a postponement until Wednesday. The problems continued on Thursday, prompting widespread criticism and raising serious questions about the stadium's ability to host an international Test match.
The inadequate number of covers provided insufficient protection for the outfield, leaving it damp and unusable. The drainage system also failed to cope with the heavy downpours, resulting in the formation of large, water-filled puddles across the playing surface. Despite the evident shortcomings, the stadium manager, whose name was not revealed, attributed the delays solely to the rain and denied any mismanagement on their part. He even went so far as to accuse the media of seeking content and ignoring the realities of the situation. This response drew immediate criticism, with many pointing out the clear evidence of inadequate preparation and a lack of understanding of the stadium's history and past performance.
The stadium manager's claim that Afghanistan had played a three-day intra-squad match at the venue and was therefore familiar with the conditions was met with strong skepticism. While the Afghanistan team had indeed played matches at the Greater Noida stadium in the past, those matches were held during the dry season, not during the monsoon period. The stadium's history, including the hosting of the Duleep Trophy in 2016 without any disruptions, further contradicts the manager's assertions about the venue's suitability and readiness for international cricket. The lack of adequate infrastructure, coupled with the manager's dismissive attitude, highlights a clear case of mismanagement and a disregard for the expectations and standards of international cricket.
Source: 'Not Our Fault, People Need Content': Noida Stadium Manager Dismisses AFG vs NZ Test Mismanagement