Afghanistan cricket team First time will play test match against New Zealand. © Twitter (@asdevender_bbc)
Afghanistan is set to play a one-off Test against New Zealand in September at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground in India. It will mark the first time the two teams face each other in the longest game format. The Test is tentatively scheduled for September 9 to 13.
This Test will be Afghanistan’s 10th overall and their third in 2024, setting a new record for the most Tests they have played in a single calendar year. The Afghan team is keen to improve their performance, having faced tough competition earlier this year with losses to Sri Lanka and Ireland. Their last Test victory came in March 2021 against Zimbabwe in the UAE.
Afghanistan’s Test cricket journey has been remarkable. Despite being new to the format, they have a commendable 3-6 win-loss record in their first nine Tests. This upcoming match allows them to showcase their growth and resilience on a significant stage.
For New Zealand, this Test is part of a busy international schedule. Following the match in Greater Noida, the Black Caps will embark on a three-Test tour of India starting on October 16. In between, they are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka for another Test series, with dates yet to be confirmed.
Australia’s decision to withdraw from a scheduled Test against Afghanistan in 2021, citing humanitarian reasons, left a gap in Afghanistan’s cricket calendar. Additionally, Australia pulled out of a three-match T20I series scheduled for August 2024. The upcoming Test against New Zealand partly fills this void and provides a crucial match experience for the Afghan team.
With this match, Afghanistan will have played against most of the top cricketing nations in Test cricket. Following the New Zealand Test, only England, Australia, Pakistan, and South Africa will remain teams yet to face Afghanistan in the longest format. This progression is significant for Afghanistan, reflecting their growing presence and competitiveness in international cricket.
