AFG vs NZ 2024, Only Test: Greater Noida Stadium Manager blames weather on destroyed encounter

The historic one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at Greater Noida’s Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium

(also known as Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground) has been under controversy, with nary a single ball bowled for four straight days. The criticism is addressed towards the venue’s preparation, but the stadium manager has disputed claims of mismanagement, suggesting that the delays were due to adverse weather and the media outlets are only seeking news.

The Test, slated to begin on Monday, has suffered severe setbacks due to a combination of heavy rainfall and evident shortcomings in the stadium’s infrastructure. Reports have noted insufficient pitch covers, poor drainage systems, and uncertain fitness of the playing field, raising questions about the venue’s preparedness for international cricket.

“The Afghanistan team had arrived on 30 August and they played a 3-day (intra-squad) match from 1-2 September where they scored more than 300 runs. We produced the surface as per coach Jonathan Trott’s demand,” the stadium manager told the 93.5 Red FM.

The rain is causing the primary difficulty, which isn’t in our hands: Stadium Manager

Attempting to deflect blame, the manager alluded to comparable rain-related cancellations at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, saying that the weather was the primary culprit. The managers maintain that Afghanistan has been using this as their home venue for three years and must have practiced in rainy conditions. Afghanistan’s previous matches at this location were played in March 2017 and 2020, seasons typically there is low rainfall in the region.

The historic one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at Greater Noida.

“The rain is causing the major trouble which isn’t in our hands. The closest venue to this one is Delhi (Arun Jaitley venue) where the downpour has resulted in the cancellation of (DPL 2024) matches. The showers are so strong that the water penetrates the covers despite enveloping the entire ground,” he continued.

The manager even remarked that people just want content and don’t truly want to know the truth. He also underlined that the game was set in motion following acceptance of the respective boards to play at this location.

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And it’s not like Afghanistan is ignorant of this territory. Since they have been practicing there for the past three years, they have undoubtedly trained in wet weather. If their board had not known, they would not have given the go-ahead for this location to host the game. “People don’t want to know the truth; they just need content,” the manager said in closing.