AFG vs NZ: 'They just need content' - Greater Noida stadium manager reveals 'reality' people don't want to know

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AFG vs NZ: The one off historic Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground ended without a ball being bowled on either of the five days.

The last three days of the one off Test match - first-ever between the two sides - was abandoned even before the scheduled start time of 9:30 AM. The teams also did not turn up to the stadium on the last three days.

The poor drainage facility, and lack of basic equipment which should be present at a venue hosting a Test match, made it only the eight match in the history of the format to end without a ball being bowled.

It has rained heavily in the region in the recent days, but proper arrangement could have seen a few overs of game, especially on Day 1. Proper ground covers and super soppers were arranged at the venue only after Day 2 of the Test match was abandoned.

Greater Noida Stadium manager defends venue, slams critics

Regardless of what happened from September 9 to September 13, the manager of Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sport Complex has slammed the critics for just looking for content without trying to know the reality.

As quoted by News18, the manager, who did not wish to be named while speaking to radio channel 93.5 Red FM, revealed that Afghanistan successfully played an intra-squad match at the venue before the Test.

“The Afghanistan team had arrived on 30 August and they played a 3-day (intra-squad) match from 1-2 September where they scored more than 300 runs. We delivered the pitch as per coach Jonathan Trott's demand,” the manager told the radio channel.

He blamed the rain for all the chaos, saying that the downpour was so heavy and consistent that even covering the ground did not help. To give weight to his statement, he added that Delhi Premier League (DPL) matches at New Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium were also abandoned due to the same reason.

“The rain is causing the major trouble which isn't in our hands. The closest stadium to this one is Delhi (Arun Jaitley Stadium) where the downpour has resulted in the cancellation of (DPL 2024) matches. The showers are so heavy that the water penetrates the covers despite enveloping the entire ground.

“And it's not that Afghanistan are not aware of this ground. It has been their home venue for three years and they surely have trained in rainy conditions. Had their board been unaware, they wouldn't have approved this venue to host the game,” head.

After listening to the explanation, the 93.5 FM RJ commented - “Jitna to humari team nahi kheli, itna to inhone khela hai (the Indian cricket team has never played but the Afghans did).”

The venue manager quipped saying, “Kuch logon ko content chahiye hotein hain, unko reality nahi jaan na (People need content and don't want to know the reality).”