Afghanistan to Play Historic Test Match Against New Zealand in India

Afghanistan is set to play a one-off Test match against New Zealand in September at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground in Uttar Pradesh. This match will mark Afghanistan's first Test at the ground and their 10th overall, amidst a year filled with unprecedented Test matches for the team.

Afghanistan and New Zealand are slated to compete in a historic one-off Test match in September at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, located in Uttar Pradesh, India, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. This will be Afghanistan's first Test match at this venue, which had previously served as their adopted home ground.

This game marks Afghanistan's 10th Test match in the longest format of cricket and the third Test match for them in 2024 – the most they have played in a single year. The match is tentatively scheduled to take place from September 9 to 13, roughly a month before New Zealand begins their three-match Test series tour of India, starting October 16 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Following the match against New Zealand, the only countries Afghanistan has yet to face in Test cricket are England, Australia, Pakistan, and South Africa. Earlier this year, Cricket Australia postponed its men's bilateral series tour against Afghanistan, citing deteriorating human rights conditions.

As part of the ICC's Future Tours Program, a three-match T20 series between Afghanistan and Australia was planned for August but was canceled as CA refused to participate due to the Taliban's takeover in September 2021. This withdrawal was Australia's third refusal to play against Afghanistan since then. Despite these cancellations, the one-off Test against New Zealand offers some respite in filling Afghanistan's match calendar.

In red-ball cricket this year, Afghanistan has faced defeats against Sri Lanka and Ireland. Last year, they lost a one-off Test match to Bangladesh. Their last Test victory was in March 2021 against Zimbabwe in the UAE. Overall, Afghanistan has a record of three wins and six losses in nine Test matches. (ANI)