GREATER NOIDA: The first day’s play of the one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was called off without a toss on Monday due to earlier rain that created a wet pitch. The toss is scheduled for 9:00 am (03:30 GMT) on Tuesday, the second day of the five-day competition, with the officials aiming to bowl 98 overs on the day. Referees conducted repeated inspections throughout Monday at Afghanistan’s adopted home territory near the Indian capital of New Delhi in Greater Noida, the first test at the venue. Ground crews worked overtime to mop up wet patches on the ground, which had witnessed bright sunshine for most of the day. But the area has been hit by heavy rains in the last 10 days. Several practices were canceled for both teams before the game. Afghanistan player Ibrahim Zadran injured his ankle while standing on a wet pitch on the eve of the Test. Afghanistan has hosted several T20 and ODI internationals since 2017 at a venue that lacks world-class facilities. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has offered Afghanistan facilities to train and host matches outside their troubled country, including the northern Indian cities of Lucknow and Dehradun. It is only Afghanistan’s tenth Test match. The Blues have played nine games and lost six – including their bruising opening when they lost their debut match against India inside two days. After that, New Zealand’s Tim Southee toured Sri Lanka for a two-Test series before returning to India for three five-day matches.
