Afghanistan players unable to practice in Noida stadium: Here's why
What's the story
The Afghanistan cricket team is facing significant challenges in their preparation for the upcoming Test match against New Zealand.
The match is scheduled from September 9 to 13 at the Greater Noida Sports Complex near Delhi.
However, poor weather conditions and inadequate ground facilities have disrupted their week-long preparatory camp, leading to frustration among players and staff.
Notably, the Greater Noida stadium has been serving as the home venue for Afghanistan in international cricket.
Captain's concern
Shahidi expresses concern over ground conditions
Upon arriving at the practice venue, Afghanistan's captain Hashmatullah Shahidi expressed his concerns about the ground conditions.
He humorously remarked to his team, "Boys, we should have brought our swim gear. No way we are going to play here. Good place to swim."
Shahidi also voiced worries about how the New Zealand team would react to such conditions.
Feasibility concerns
Zadran questions feasibility of fielding drills
Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran was among the first to inspect the waterlogged field. He questioned the feasibility of conducting basic fielding drills on the soggy outfield.
His concerns were echoed by his teammates, who found humor in this challenging situation.
The camp's start was far from ideal due to incessant rain that caused flooding on both the outfield and practice pitches.
Drying efforts
Ground staff struggles to dry pitch
The ground staff at the Greater Noida Sports Complex, working with limited resources, attempted to dry the pitch using only two table fans.
The lack of a Super Sopper and sufficient manpower made it challenging to protect even the 30-yard circle.
Amit Kumar Sharma, the curator of the venue, defended its drainage system but admitted that ongoing rain could pose significant challenges in preparing for the Test match.
Optimism prevails
Sharma remains hopeful for a good Test match
Despite the challenges, Sharma remains hopeful for a successful Test match if the rain subsides.
He stated, "If the rain stays away, you will have a good Test match."
However, with weather forecasts predicting continued rainfall until September 8 and New Zealand's cricket team set to arrive on September 5, Afghanistan's preparation for their 10th overall Test match and third of 2024 remains uncertain.