The only Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand has started on 9 September. The first day of the Test match could not start due to rain. Not only this, the second day of the only Test match has also not started due to wet outfield and poor facilities at Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground in Greater Noida.

The lack of modern facilities and inexperienced ground staff at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground has made it difficult to prepare the ground. The Board of Control for Cricket in India is being heavily criticized on social media for this. Let us tell you, it rained for a very short time on Monday i.e. 9 September and even after that the match has not started yet. There are also reports that it seems very difficult for the second day’s play to take place between these two teams.

To start the match, the umpires inspected the ground and pitch 6 times throughout the day on 9 September. New Zealand captain Tim Southee, all-rounder Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra along with other players also inspected the ground, but mid-on and mid-wicket did not look good for playing, while many patches were visible even inside the 30-yard circle of the field. However, after the sun came out, it seemed for a while that the match could start, but the umpires finally admitted that a match cannot be held on such a pitch and ground on 9 September.

This is the reason why the game could not start on the first day. The weather is clear on the second day but despite this the players of both the teams are eagerly waiting for the match to start.

BCCI got a lot of flak on social media

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is one of the richest boards in the world. Many people on social media are saying that if this ground was not completely suitable for the match then why was it declared as a venue.

Let us tell you, this is the first test match being played between the two teams. After the first day of the match was cancelled, an official of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) had said that there is a lot of mess here, we will never come back here. The players are also unhappy with the facilities here. He said that we had already talked to the concerned people and the people of the stadium had assured us that everything would be fine regarding media facilities. However, we have only seen disappointment here.

Extremely poor and unprofessional behavior @ACBofficials for choosing such a poor&low standard ground for the only test of the year against a quality side of NZ.
It’s been 2nd day, since no rain and the groundsmen unable to dry out the ground.
Such a terrible scene.#AFGvNZ

— Zia Afghan (@ziasayzz) September 10, 2024

Groundsmen at the Greater Noida stadium are cutting pieces of grass from the practice facility and installing them in the outfield of the main ground.#AFGvNZ | Video: @ShayanAcharya,@rvmoorthyhindu#Greater_Noida pic.twitter.com/yPQ6wNXz7b

— Jubika Update (@JubikaUpda65795) September 10, 2024

Don’t show gestures if you r not fully committed to it. Pathetic management at noida stadium #AFGvNZ

— Piyush (@Piyush985068881) September 10, 2024

What a farce is happening at Greater Noida. The world’s richest cricket body can’t get a ground and match going? Very disappointing from @BCCI
Need to apologize to NZ and Afg.#AFGvNZ

— Harish Rao (@simpleharish) September 10, 2024

Joke of a venue. The ground is simply unfit to host a Test match.
Groundsmen are bringing in dry patches of grass from the nets. #AFGvNZ pic.twitter.com/FT3aFUv4dQ

— Aparajita (@culesme) September 10, 2024

The groundsmen at the Greater Noida Stadium have been cutting patches of grass from the practice facility and installing them in the outfield of the main ground.#AFGvNZ | Video: @ShayanAcharya,@rvmoorthyhindu pic.twitter.com/D0ut1YjZgz

— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) September 10, 2024

Shame on @BCCI

Has it been done deliberately 😱

Only one test that to washout 🤷🙆😳 #AFGvNZ #TestCricket

— Kunal Chatterjee (@KunalCh37079569) September 10, 2024

It’s disgraceful that the richest board, BCCI, neglects Afghan cricket. If you won’t provide real support, stop with the hollow gestures. As an Indian, I’m outraged😑😑. Afghan cricket deserves better… #AFGvNZ #Greater_Noida #bcci @BCCI pic.twitter.com/dRKmPrE5G2

— ranjitkumar (@ranjithvabs) September 10, 2024

AFG plays test match cricket once in a monsoon and it gets washed out.
Terrible!!#AFGvNZ@ACBofficials @UPCACricket @BCCI @BCCI

— Johan 🍓 (@ChillynOnions) September 10, 2024

before start of test afg captain said : “india is our second home” whiel second home of afghanistan (india) has provided them with a stadium and pitch that could not even host a one-off test match in a completely sunny day due to wet outfield, moye moye…lets laugh 😆 #AFGvNZ pic.twitter.com/h31j3LOipf

— Ahmad Amin Khan (@AhmadAminKhan) September 10, 2024

Shameful from BCCI to offer Greater Noida ground to #AFGvNZ which lacks basic facilities in the name of help despite having more than 20 international level stadiums. It’s like giving expired food to the needy. #INDvsBAN

— Jitendra Singh (@Jivendr) September 10, 2024