Toss delayed for second day in Afghanistan-New Zealand cricket test


Overnight rain resulted in the toss again being delayed on Day 2 of the cricket test between Afghanistan and New Zealand.

No play was possible on Day 1 because of a wet outfield, despite ground staff at the Greater Noida Sports Complex working hard to get the game started.

The toss was rescheduled for 9 a.m. local time Tuesday but wet patches on the outfield — worsened by the rain — caused further delay. Umpires were due to inspect the pitch again at 12 noon local time.

This is Afghanistan’s third cricket test in 2024, following once-off matches against Ireland and Sri Lanka.

Afghanistan is staging the match near India’s capital because it cannot host international cricket on home soil.

New Zealand is kicking off a three-month subcontinental tour that will involve a series against Afghanistan, two tests in Sri Lanka and then another three in India.

This first test between the two countries is not part of the 2025 World Test Championship.