'Afghanistan have better facilities': ACB Member Makes Big Accusation On BCCI Over Noida Test Fiasco

The Afghanistan vs New Zealand one-off Test, which should been in full swing with the Day 3 action, has been harrowed by unfit playing conditions at the Greater Noida stadium. Rain hampered the start of play on Day 1, resulting in a complete washout. In contrast to Day 1, Day 2 demonstrated perfect weather conditions for the match to begin. However, owing to a poor drainage system of the ground, the field remained wet despite the best efforts of the grounds men. In hindsight, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has drawn criticism for not picking any other venue to host the match. Nevertheless, an ACB member has come out to claim that BCCI did not render any other option but to host the match at the Noida stadium.

Also Read | Ponting Asks Australia To Beware Of India Youngster More Than Kohli

ACB Member Claims Afghanistan Stadium Features Better Facilities Than Greater Noida Stadium

Amid all the opinions that are flowing regarding how better facilities at the Greater Noida Stadium could have salvaged the lost time, an ACB official has claimed that the Noida Stadium hasn't undergone any modifications in a long time and in the same duration the stadium in Afghanistan has witnessed momentous growth and feature better provisions.  

"You won't believe me but the stadia in Afghanistan have better facilities than this one. We have improved our infrastructure in the past few years but here as Shahidi has mentioned nothing has changed," the ACB official had told The Indian Express before the Test was to begin.

Also Read | Rinku Singh & Other Players to Watch Out For in Round 2 of Duleep Trophy

BCCI Did Not Give Any Option

The official further stated that the ACB wanted Dehradun or Lucknow as the venue to host New Zealand but BCCI did not comply with their request and as a result, they had to proceed with what they had on offer, which was the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida.

"Our first choice was the Lucknow stadium and the second was Dehradun. Our requests were rejected by the BCCI and we were told that both the states are hosting their respective T20 leagues. This was the only ground available and we had no other choice left," the official said.

As things stand, the conditions are not conducive for the play to start and hence the match is apparently heading towards abandonment.