Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

The Afghanistan–New Zealand Test at Greater Noida Sports Complex will make history if the fifth day is washed out. Since 1877, only seven times has an entire Test match been abandoned due to rain, with the latest being New Zealand vs India in Dunedin way back in 1998.

The disappointing aspect of the Afghanistan-New Zealand match is that there was fine weather during days one and two. However, poor drainage and facilities meant the outfield couldn’t dry in time, leading to farcical scenes including electrical fans and taking turf from the practice area to replace wet patches on the ground itself.

Test matches washed out/abandoned without a ball bowled (including fog)

The 1970/71 washout between Australia and England was significant. After the first three days were abandoned, it was decided that a one-day match would be played on 5th January, 1971. It was the first One Day International (ODI) in history.

Other abandonded Tests also turned into one-day games, including New Zealand vs. Pakistan in 1989, England vs. West Indies in 1990 and New Zealand vs India in 1998.

But, no Test has ever been abandoned only due to rain in Asia. The Pakistan-Zimbabwe Test at Faislabad in 1998 was abandoned due to fog as well as rain. Afghanistan vs New Zealand is set to be the first.

Next up for New Zealand is a trip to Sri Lanka for two Tests in Galle. The Black Caps then travel to India for three Tests. How Tim Southee’s team fare in these five matches will decide their fate in the 2023-25 World Test Championship.

Afghanistan will embark on a three-match ODI series against South Africa starting on September 18 in Sharjah.