In what was supposed to be a historic clash between New Zealand and Afghanistan, the one-off Test match in Greater Noida was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Persistent rain and an unplayable outfield thwarted both teams' ambitions, marking the eighth instance in cricket history where a Test match was abandoned without any play—and the first such instance in India.

Pic: AFP/Getty ImagesNew Zealand head coach Gary Stead expressed his disappointment, emphasizing that the lost opportunity to prepare for their upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka was the most frustrating part. “We’ve lost that ability to be match-hardened and match-ready when we go into our Test match next week,” Stead said during the post-match press conference.

The one-off Test was meant to help New Zealand acclimatize to subcontinent conditions ahead of a crucial World Test Championship cycle, with five out of their remaining eight matches scheduled in Asia. Stead stated, "It was our first Test match against Afghanistan, and we were really excited about that. They have unique bowlers, and it would have been useful preparation for our upcoming matches against Sri Lanka and India."

Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott echoed Stead’s sentiments, acknowledging the disappointment of missing out on a high-quality contest. “The real sad thing is, it was going to be a really good pitch and a good contest," Trott commented. However, he stressed the importance of player safety, particularly with New Zealand's packed schedule and Afghanistan’s upcoming ODI series against South Africa.

While the rain didn’t fall during the first two days of the Test, the outfield remained too soft from overnight thunderstorms, and the umpires deemed the ground unfit for play. Stead noted that over 1200 millimeters of rain had fallen in the last week, making conditions treacherous despite the efforts of the ground staff.

Trott and Stead both lamented that the abandoned Test was a missed opportunity for their teams to showcase their skills. New Zealand, ranked third in the World Test Championship, are eager to make the finals again, and Stead emphasized how crucial every match is. "We’ve been to the World Test Championship final once, and we’re desperate to get there again. Every Test match is important," he said.

For Afghanistan, the Test was a chance to prove themselves in the longest format against a top-tier team. "We were very excited to put ourselves against the challenge of playing New Zealand," Trott said. "Unfortunately, weather conditions made it impossible."

The two teams will now go their separate ways, with New Zealand traveling to Sri Lanka for two Tests, and Afghanistan shifting focus to their ODI series against South Africa and preparing for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Though the match was a washout, both coaches expressed optimism for future opportunities to compete at this level.