AFG vs NZ Test: The most awaited contest for Afghanistan, the one-off test against New Zealand for the first time in the history of Afghanistan Cricket has just fallen prey to the rain and poor drainage system of Greater Noida Sports Complex.
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Afghanistan, a country that have hardly played 10 test matches in their history and none against the SENA countries. This was a great opportunity for them to face off against a strong New Zealand side but it all gone waste at the Greater Noida Sports Complex.
AFG vs NZ Test Abondoned
It was the first time in 91 years that a test match was called off without even a TOSS due to rain. The Afghanistan Cricket Board updated with the news and said, “It is still raining in Greater Noida and due to frequent rains, the 5th and final day of the Afghanistan vs New Zealand test has also been called off by the match officials.”
For New Zealand, this rain-affected Test would have been an ideal opportunity to gear up for their upcoming World Test Championship matches against Sri Lanka and India in the subcontinent. Playing in similar conditions could have helped them adjust to the challenges of spin, slower wickets, and the subtleties of playing in the heat and humidity. Losing that chance could mean they head into those crucial fixtures less prepared than they would have hoped.
On the other hand, Afghanistan had a rare opportunity to establish their presence in the Test arena. Being a newer team in the longest format, every match is vital for their growth and exposure. Going up against a strong side like New Zealand could have provided them with valuable experience and a chance to prove their abilities on a larger stage.
Unfortunately, the weather had other plans, and both sides are left feeling frustrated. The cancellation not only affected immediate preparations but also robbed Afghanistan of a significant chance to showcase their potential.
AFG vs NZ Test Impact on World Test Championship?
The lone test match of Afghanistan against New Zealand was not the part of the ICC WTC 2023-25 cycle. Among the 12 Test-playing nations, only nine are currently part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, while Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe remain excluded.
Afghanistan’s absence from the WTC is largely due to their relatively recent arrival in the Test cricket arena. Since gaining Test status in 2017, Afghanistan has participated in just nine Test matches across different venues, with the fixture against New Zealand marking their tenth.
Hence, there is no change in the ICC WTC Points table After the AFG vs NZ Test. Take a look at the WTC Points table:
| Pos | Team | Mat | Won | Lost | Drawn | NR | Points | PCT |
| 1 | India | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 74 | 68.52 |
| 2 | Australia | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 90 | 62.5 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 50.0 |
| 4 | Bangladesh | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 45.83 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 42.86 |
| 6 | England | 16 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 81 | 42.19 |
| 7 | South Africa | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 38.89 |
| 8 | Pakistan | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 19.05 |
| 9 | West Indies | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 18.52 |
READ: England vs Australia 2nd T20I: Weather Report of Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
SOURCE- ICC OFFICIAL
