AFG Vs NZ Test Gets Washed Out; Becomes 1st Test to Get Cancelled In 91 Years in Asia

The Afghanistan vs New Zealand Test match in Greater Noida, scheduled to take place from September 13, 2024, became a historic event, though for unfortunate reasons. It was the first Test in Asia to be completely abandoned due to rain in 91 years and only the eighth such instance in Test cricket history. Not a single ball was bowled across all five days, making it a rare occurrence in the sport.

This washout marked the first time a Test had been cancelled in Asia after 730 matches played on the continent. The weather in Greater Noida was a persistent issue throughout the match’s scheduled duration. Heavy downpours began on the opening day, and despite brief dry spells, the outfield remained unfit for play. By the morning of the fifth day, with rain continuing to fall, the umpires decided to call off the match at 8:45 am, ending the possibility of any cricket action.

The abandoned Test was a disappointment for both teams, particularly Afghanistan, who had high hopes for their first-ever Test against New Zealand. It was also Afghanistan’s third Test hosted in India, having previously played in Dehradun and Lucknow against Ireland and West Indies in 2019. Unfortunately, the match offered no opportunity for the players to showcase their skills due to weather disruptions.

Concerns over the venue’s preparedness were raised even before the opening day. Though the weather was clear during certain playing hours, the under-par outfield, worsened by consistent rain, prevented any play. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) attributed the washout to unseasonal rain, which brought over 1200mm of rainfall to Greater Noida in the past week.

This Test was not part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), but for New Zealand, it was meant to be a crucial preparatory match ahead of their two-Test series in Sri Lanka. The Greater Noida match would have helped them acclimatize to subcontinent conditions before their upcoming challenges. Afghanistan, meanwhile, is now set to host South Africa for a three-match ODI series in Sharjah.

Historically, only seven other Tests have been abandoned without a ball being bowled. The first instance occurred in 1890, during the Ashes between Australia and England at Old Trafford, Manchester. The most recent abandonment before this match happened in December 1998 when two consecutive Tests were cancelled due to weather—one in Pakistan against Zimbabwe, and the other in New Zealand against India.

Despite the disappointment, both teams will now turn their attention to their next assignments. Afghanistan heads to the UAE, while New Zealand will continue their tour with two Tests in Sri Lanka, followed by three more in India. The washed-out Test will remain a unique and unfortunate footnote in the history of cricket.

List of abandoned Tests:

(i) Test No: 34 – Australia vs England, 25-08-1890: Old Trafford, Manchester

(ii) Test No: 264 – Australia vs England, 08-07-1938: Old Trafford, Manchester

(iii) Test No: 675 – Australia vs England, 31-12-1970: Melbourne Cricket Ground

(iv) Test No: 1113 – New Zealand vs Pakistan, 03-02-1989: Carisbrook, Dunedin

(v) Test No: 1140 – England vs West Indies, 10-03-1990: Bourda, Georgetown, Guyana

(vi) Test No: 1434 – Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, 17-12-1998 Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

(vii) Test No: 1434 – New Zealand vs India, 18-12-1998: Carisbrook, Dunedin

(viii) Test No: 2549 – Afghanistan v New Zealand, 13-09-2024: Greater Noida