Why will Afghanistan be penalised if one-off Test against New Zealand is abandoned?

The much-anticipated one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand, scheduled to take place in Greater Noida, India, from September 9, has hit a major stumbling block. Inclement weather has played spoilsport, with persistent rain in the lead-up to the match making the pitch and outfield unplayable. 

The play on Day 1 was called off without a ball being bowled, and further delays are expected due to the ground's poor condition. With the match now in serious jeopardy, there is rising concern that it could be abandoned altogether.

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What Happens If the Test is Abandoned?

According to the playing conditions for Test matches, including the World Test Championship (WTC), an abandoned match is typically treated as a draw, with both teams sharing the points. However, in certain circumstances, the home team can face a penalty.

The WTC playing conditions clearly state: “An abandoned match will be treated as a draw. But if the match is abandoned because of an unfit pitch or outfield, the home team will be penalised, and points for a win will be awarded to the visiting side.”

In this case, if the match is abandoned due to an unfit outfield or poor pitch conditions rather than purely because of the weather, Afghanistan, as the designated home team, could face severe consequences.

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Afghanistan Not Part of the WTC, So How Are They Penalised?

Unlike New Zealand, Afghanistan is not part of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, so any points penalty will not directly impact their standing in the WTC. However, they could still face reputational damage and scrutiny from the International Cricket Council (ICC) if the venue is deemed unfit for Test cricket.

This Test match was not just another fixture for Afghanistan. As a team that is still finding its footing in Test cricket, Afghanistan views these matches as key milestones in their cricketing journey. Hosting a Full Member nation like New Zealand gives Afghanistan vital exposure, especially as they look to build their Test-playing credentials.