New Zealand cricket fans rejoice! The Black Caps are set to create history by playing their first-ever Test match against Afghanistan in a one-off encounter scheduled for September 2024. The venue for this historic match will be the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, India.
A New Chapter for Afghanistan Cricket
This development comes amidst the ongoing debate surrounding Afghanistan cricket under Taliban rule. Notably, Australia has thrice refused bilateral series with Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in 2021, citing restrictions on female participation in sports. New Zealand, however, has taken a contrasting approach, opting to proceed with the historic Test match.
The Black Caps’ tour of India also includes a three-Test series against the hosts scheduled for October-November 2024.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) deserves recognition for its continued support of Afghanistan cricket. Earlier in July 2024, the BCCI greenlit Afghanistan’s request to host matches in India, marking a significant development. This comes after a four-year hiatus for Afghanistan playing in India.
Change of Plans and New Venues
Afghanistan’s initial plan for July 2024 involved a full series against Bangladesh in Greater Noida. The series, comprising white-ball matches and two Tests, was postponed due to extreme heat in North India.
However, this postponement has paved the way for a historic encounter. Greater Noida will now witness Afghanistan’s return to Indian soil for the first time since March 2020. The BCCI has generously allocated three venues for Afghanistan’s “home” matches in India – Greater Noida, Kanpur, and Lucknow.
According to a source, the BCCI emerged as the first cricket board to extend support to Afghanistan cricket following the Taliban takeover in 2021. This historic Test match against New Zealand serves as a beacon of hope, not only for Afghan cricket but also for fostering international cricket ties despite the ongoing political complexities.
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