The historic one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Noida has been marred by severe outfield issues, leading to four consecutive session delays. Despite minimal rainfall, the match has turned into a logistical disaster as the poor drainage system and substandard outfield conditions have prevented any play from happening so far.

Wet outfield and poor drainage delay play for two days

Day 1 of the Test witnessed a complete washout, with no balls bowled due to the wet conditions on the field. Although there was brief rain in the evening of Day 1, no precipitation followed thereafter. However, the outfield remained waterlogged, and the groundsmen were unable to prepare the field for play, delaying the start of Day 2 as well. The situation led to frustrations as the field remained unplayable for an extended period.

#Afghanistan vs #New Zealand, Only Test at Greater Noida, #AFG vs NZ, Sep 09 2024 - Live #Cricket Score
Match delayed by a #wet #outfield
12.25pm We hear that the New Zealand team bus has arrived now pic.twitter.com/NufmxwQ9ua

— Abdul Jabbar (@AbdulJabba44077) September 10, 2024

Bizarre masures to dry outfield raise eyebrows

On Day 2, in a desperate attempt to get the game started, the ground staff resorted to unusual methods. Visuals showed them cutting grass patches from drier parts of the field and placing them over the wet areas. Additionally, fans were brought onto the ground to speed up the drying process. Despite the efforts of 20-25 workers, including 15 outsourced personnel, the conditions remained far from ideal. The first session ended without a toss being conducted.

See Also: Musheer Khan in line for BCCI recognition, following brother Sarfaraz's footsteps: Report

Reports also revealed that the ground management brought in five super soppers—two automatic and three manual—to help dry the field, but the process was slow and ineffective. To make matters worse, the covers used to protect the pitch were rented from a local tent house, indicating the venue’s lack of readiness for hosting a Test match. The lackluster preparations have tarnished the reputation of the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, which was hosting its first-ever Test match.

New Zealand star Mark Chapman showcased his talent in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 during the match between the Dambulla Sixers and Colombo Strikers on Thursday, July 16.

In the final game of the league stage, Muhammad Waseem, playing for Colombo, was aggressive and took on pacer Nuwan Pradeep, keeping his team in the hunt for 124 runs. Waseem hit Pradeep for two boundaries and a six in the first four balls of the second over, showing no signs of slowing down.

However, Pradeep made a crucial comeback, ultimately leading to Waseem’s dismissal, thanks to an outstanding effort from Mark Chapman. On the fifth ball of the over, Waseem attempted to clear mid-on but failed to make solid contact. That’s when Chapman sprang into action.

Positioned at mid-on, Chapman sprinted to his right and executed a perfect dive, taking a spectacular catch with both hands to send Waseem packing. With this wicket, the Colombo Strikers found themselves struggling at 16/2.

Following Waseem’s dismissal, Nuwan Pradeep continued to shine, taking wickets at regular intervals and applying pressure on the opposition. After Waseem’s quick 15 runs, the Colombo Strikers collapsed, quickly finding themselves at 88/9.

Skipper Thisara Perera contributed a valuable 30 runs to keep his team in the game, but ultimately, the Strikers were bowled out for just 95 runs, losing the match by 28 runs.

SEE ALSO:Tom Latham ready to take charge of ODI team

We gave our all to set a big score – Mohammad Nabi

Dambulla Sixers skipper Mohammad Nabi, who was named Player of the Match for his 40-run performance, reflected on his innings and acknowledged the challenges posed by the tricky pitch. He expressed that the team aimed to post a big score but faced setbacks with early wickets. Speaking after the match, he shared:

“It was a tough game on a tricky pitch. We did our best to set a big total, but losing early wickets hurt us. If I had been able to bat through the last four overs, it could have changed the outcome. I focused on waiting for bad balls and playing simple cricket—watching the ball closely, especially the legspinner’s googlies and flippers.

“On this pitch, the googly and flipper were the most difficult to face. In our huddle, we discussed the need to defend 47 runs and aimed to bowl stump to stump. It’s been a fantastic tournament, and I enjoyed leading the team, but unfortunately, we couldn’t qualify. Overall, it was a great experience, and I truly enjoyed it.”

Noorali Zadran, a prominent player in Afghanistan’s top-order batting lineup, has officially retired from international cricket as of Thursday, March 7th. His decision comes ahead of the ongoing first ODI against Ireland at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Zadran’s last appearance for Afghanistan was in the recent one-off Test against Ireland. Although he struggled in the first innings, scoring just 7 runs off 27 balls, he showcased resilience in the second innings, accumulating 32 runs off 72 balls with three boundaries. Despite his efforts, Afghanistan lost the match by 6 wickets, marking an unfortunate end to his career at the top order.

Noorali Zadran Retires from International Stage

Debuting in the one-off Test against Sri Lanka, Zadran, accompanied by his nephew Ibhrahim Zadran, has been a stalwart for Afghanistan in white-ball cricket. With 51 ODIs under his belt, he amassed 1216 runs at an average of approximately 25, including one century and seven half-centuries. Additionally, he represented Afghanistan in 22 T20Is, scoring 586 runs at a strike rate exceeding 100 and an average surpassing 26.

Zadran’s Test career comprises two matches, wherein he accumulated 117 runs at an average of about 30, with a highest score of 47. At the age of 35, he bids farewell to the sport, having been a part of significant victories for the Afghanistan team throughout his tenure.

SEE ALSO: Women’s Premier League 2024 :UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians Women 14th match – Toss update, Playing XIs

Notably, Zadran marked his debut for Afghanistan against Scotland in April 2009, scoring 45 runs as an opener. One of the highlights of his career was his half-century against India in the 2010 T20 World Cup.

As Zadran exits the international stage, the Afghanistan Cricket Team paid tribute to his contributions by offering him a guard of honor ahead of the first ODI against Ireland. The Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed Zadran’s retirement and expressed gratitude for his service, sharing a heartfelt post commemorating his remarkable career.

In addition to his prowess with the bat, Rohit Sharma, the captain of India, is renowned for his occasional humorous remarks that often amuse fans. Though not intentionally comical, his laid-back style of expression seldom fails to bring a smile to the faces of supporters.

This characteristic was evident during India’s clash against Afghanistan in the third T20I in January. Rohit Sharma had endured a rough patch in the series, being dismissed for ducks in the first two games of the three-match series. Notably, this was his first T20I series since the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Expectations were high for the captain to make an impact in the shortest format of the game, but he struggled to get off the mark in the initial matches. Eager to open his account in the third T20I, Rohit found himself in a light-hearted dispute with the on-field umpire when the latter awarded leg byes after the right-handed batsman seemingly struck the ball for a boundary in the first over.

Confident that he had made contact with the ball, Rohit questioned the umpire’s decision, only realizing the ruling after the over had concluded and he glanced at the scoreboard.

Rohit Sharma Shares Comical Exchange with Umpire: The Inside Story

“Hey, Viru, was that given as leg-bye on the second ball? The bat made significant contact,” Rohit Sharma quipped to the umpire.

Reflecting on the incident during the inauguration of the third edition of the Khel Mahakhumbh in Bilaspur district on Tuesday (March 5), Rohit Sharma shed light on the humorous exchange.

SEE ALSO: Ashwin’s Inquiry Ahead of His 100th Test: Why Do Others Encounter Multiple Failures While I Only Experience One?

“When you’ve registered two ducks, getting that first run becomes crucial. The ball had indeed struck the bat and reached the boundary, but the umpire perhaps didn’t see it and awarded leg byes instead. I don’t usually check the scoreboard while batting; my focus remains on my innings,” Rohit Sharma explained.

“After the over, I happened to glance at the scoreboard and noticed it still showed ‘Rohit Sharma on zero.’ I thought, ‘But I hit a boundary; why does it still say zero?'” he added.

Noor Ahmad, a promising spinner, has been handed a one-year ban from participating in ILT20 due to a breach of contract. This action was taken by the International League T20 after finding the young cricketer guilty of contractual violations. Initially part of the Sharjah Warriors in the league’s inaugural season, Ahmad was offered a contract extension by the franchise but declined to sign the necessary papers, leading to subsequent repercussions.

In response to Ahmad’s refusal to extend his contract, the Sharjah Warriors brought the matter to the attention of the tournament’s governing body, prompting an investigation into the issue. The three-member Disciplinary Committee of the International League T20, consisting of Chief Executive Officer David White, Col.

Contractual Controversy: Noor Ahmad’s Ban from ILT20

Azam, and Zayed Abbas, meticulously reviewed the case, engaging with both the Sharjah Warriors management and Noor Ahmad himself. Following a comprehensive examination of all available evidence, the committee concluded that Ahmad was in violation of his contractual obligations, resulting in a 12-month ban being imposed on him.

While deliberating on the duration of the ban, the committee initially contemplated a 20-month suspension. However, it came to light that Ahmad was a minor at the time of signing the contract, and his agent had failed to adequately inform him about the terms and conditions therein. Consequently, 8 months were deducted from the original ban period, resulting in the final one-year suspension.

Cricketing Journey Continues: Ahmad’s Path Beyond the Ban

Despite this setback, Ahmad is set to continue his cricketing journey, as he has been signed by the Gujarat Titans for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2024 season. At just 19 years of age, Ahmad has already made his mark in various T20 leagues worldwide, representing teams such as the Comilla Victorians, Durban’s Super Giants, Melbourne Renegades, Quetta Gladiators, and Trinbago Knight Riders.

His impressive record boasts 87 wickets in 82 T20 matches, with an average of 24.93 and an economy rate of 7.27, showcasing his potential as a valuable asset in the fast-paced world of T20 cricket.

SEE ALSO: IPL 2024 likely to start from March 22

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has revealed the 16-member squad for the upcoming singular Test match against Sri Lanka, scheduled to take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo starting from February 2.

Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the team, with Ikram Alikhil appointed as the vice-captain. Notably, several fresh faces have been included in the lineup, while Rashid Khan will be absent due to ongoing rehabilitation from a back injury.

Naveen Zadran and Mohammad Ishaq have received their inaugural call-up to the squad. Naveen, a right-arm pacer, and Ishaq, a wicket-keeper batsman, showcased commendable performances in the Ahmad Shah Abdali First Class and the recently concluded Ghazi Amanullah Khan Regional List A Tournament. Their notable displays during the Afghan Abdalyan’s Tour of Oman in October last year further solidified their places.

This Test match marks Afghanistan’s eighth appearance in the format, and it also serves as their inaugural encounter against Sri Lanka. The team is slated to participate in six more Test matches later in the year, including a two-match home series against Bangladesh and a one-off Test against New Zealand. Having won five out of their seven Test matches thus far, Afghanistan played their maiden Test against India in 2018.

Sulimankhil stated, “The team went through a rigorous two-week preparation camp in Nangarhar, followed by a 10-day conditioning camp in Abu Dhabi. The camps involved all support staff collaborating with the players to ensure thorough preparation for the upcoming series. We have diligently observed the proceedings and selected a squad that includes several promising talents who have excelled in recent domestic events.”

Afghanistan has rapidly emerged as one of the most dynamic cricketing sides globally. The team had a commendable campaign in the ODI World Cup 2023, securing the sixth position with four victories in nine matches. Notably, Afghanistan defeated formidable teams like Pakistan and England and came close to triumphing over Australia.

Following the solitary Test match in Colombo, Afghanistan is scheduled to engage in a three-match ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka. The ODI series is set to commence on February 7, with the T20I series following suit on February 17.

The squad representing Afghanistan for the one-off Test against Sri Lanka

Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Rahmat Shah (Vice-Captain), Ikram Alikhil (Wicketkeeper), Mohammad Ishaq (Wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah, Nasir Jamal, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Yamin Ahmadzai, Nijat Masoud, Mohammad Saleem Safi, and Naveed Zadran comprise Afghanistan’s squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Sri Lanka.

SEE ALSO:Schedule for U19 Men’s World Cup 2024 Super Six Stage Unveiled

India and Afghanistan are poised for a cricketing face-off in January, marking their first encounter since the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 held in India. In the World Cup clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the Men In Blue dominated, securing victory by 8 wickets with 90 balls to spare, propelled by a remarkable century from captain Rohit Sharma.

The match also witnessed a noteworthy moment as IPL rivals Virat Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq put aside their differences, concluding their rivalry. The rift between the two had originated during IPL 2023, leading to a verbal exchange. Following the heated incident, Naveen-ul-Haq faced ‘Kohli Kohli’ chants whenever he played in India.

Returning to the India-Afghanistan series, the Afghan team is slated to engage in three T20I matches during their tour of India in January 2024.

Afghanistan Tour of India 2024: Complete Schedule Announced

The eagerly awaited three-match T20I series between Afghanistan and India is scheduled to take place on January 11, 14, and 17. The inaugural match will be hosted in Mohali, followed by subsequent matches in Indore and Bengaluru.

Remarkably, this upcoming series marks the first-ever instance of Afghanistan and the Men In Blue locking horns in a multi-match white-ball series. While Afghanistan and India have previously competed in tournaments organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and International Cricket Council (ICC), they have not engaged in any multi-match white-ball series until now.

Reflecting on India’s World Cup campaign, the team dominated the entire tournament and entered the final on a 10-match winning streak. However, their impressive run came to an end in the summit clash as Rohit Sharma & Co. suffered a significant defeat against Australia, leaving cricket fans around the globe disheartened.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, had a commendable campaign, securing memorable victories against three former World Cup-winning teams – England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Despite their remarkable performance, they fell short of qualifying for the semi-finals.

Here’s the schedule for the IND vs AFG 2024 series:

• 11th January 2023: 1st T20I – Mohali
• 14th January 2023: 2nd T20I – Indore
• 17th January 2023: 3rd T20I – Bengaluru