Amidst the big and sturdy mountains of Afghanistan, something new is transpiring. Something that has always been native to the country, just like many in its region, but it’s just now that this ‘new’ is being seen by the world. It is kind of like the birth of a new star, which for many years remained concealed and growing in the heart of an isolated nebulae. It’s enough of the hiding now; the star has decided to come to face the audience. It’s out and shining brighter than ever.
There is a mourning, far away from Afghanistan’s mountains, too. Perhaps, a star is dying. A star that once shone in its full magnificence, but now it’s on its deathbed. Or so it seems. What else would you call it? Many players have almost chosen franchise cricket over the country by demanding causal contracts, something that is new to cricket but something we better get used to hearing. They say it is the last of New Zealand’s golden generation that we are witnessing. The last of the golden generation will encounter the youth of Afghanistan on their way to the summit. It’s a fight between a dying star and a star just born and Greater Noida has decided to make a debut just to host that.
Team Overview:
Afghanistan will be fielding a relatively younger and inexperienced team. That comes as no surprise since they hardly play Test matches. Its been five years since they last played a pure-format game. On top of that, Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s top-notch, has already been ousted from the Test team to recover from an ongoing injury. In addition, Ibrahim Zadran, who has been averaging something shy of 45 in Tests this year, will also sit this Test match out because of an injury. Although they will be more suited to play in Greater Noida than their opponents as the Asian team boasts experience of playing shorter format games at the very venue, Test cricket is rather cruel to the faces it is not accustomed to seeing.
New Zealand have more of a first world problems to deal with. Experience they have plenty. But plenty of experience comes with its own issues. For instance, Tim Southee will need to sort the bowling lineup out which can complement the conditions in Greater Noida. Ben Sears and Matt Henry, both, were instrumental the last time the Kiwis wore whites. Choosing one of them would be a hard choice for Southee, though Henry is more likely to get the go-ahead. Southee himself has been having difficulty drawing the blood like he used to. The last time he managed a five-wicket haul was 15 innings ago.
Head-to-Head Matches:
This is the first time both teams will face each other in the long-format matches. Their recent international meetup was during the recently concluded T20 World Cup where Afghanistan pulled off an upset for ages by defeating the Black Caps.
Weather and Pitch Report:
It is monsoon season in India right now and thats what the weather in Greater Noida has been showing to everyone. The city has been under a torrent of rain for a week now and the same is forecasted for the days to come. Normally, Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, with its black soil surface, is an ideal place to bowl as a spinner, however, weather can tweak the conditions in the favour of pacers ever so conveniently.
Where to watch
The one-off Test between New Zealand and Afghanistan will not be telecast live. You can watch the game by streaming it live on the following:
Tapmad, FanCode App and web, and CricHD
