AFG Vs NZ: More Than 10000 Fans To Witness Afghanistan Vs New Zealand Historic One-Off Test In Greater Noida

Noida: The Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground will witness the first-ever Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand marking a landmark event for sports enthusiasts in the city. The one-off Test match will also be the first international five-day game to be played in Greater Noida, thus drawing an impressive crowd of over 10,000 passionate cricket fans. So far the ground has hosted 11 international games (5 ODIs and 6 T20Is) with Afghanistan being the home team.

The match promises to be an exciting display of top-tier cricket and will be supported by Play Sports, India’s leading sporting talent development enterprise. With the intention of encouraging physical fitness and good sportsmanship, it is presently working on Phase One’s talent development initiative in Rajasthan to inspire the next generation of athletes for Prime Minister’s Olympic Vision of 2036.

Ahead of the game, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi stated how the whole team is looking forward to play the game. “It is an honour to play in Noida and be part of such a historic moment for the city. We look forward to our days in the city with a lot of love from cricket fans who we know are here in plenty,” Shahidi said.

“We have practiced here in the past and it is a privilege playing in the city again in front of these stands. Indian fans are someone we really look forward to seeing and we hope they will show up in force. This match presents a wonderful opportunity for us to bring pride and glory to our nation, and we look forward to doing so in front of such passionate fans,” he added.

Meanwhile, three uncapped players – opener Riaz Hassan, all-rounder Shamsurrahman and pacer Khalil Ahmed – have been included in Afghanistan’s final 16-member squad. Star all-rounder Rashid Khan is not in the squad as he is recovering from an injury. Zahir Khan and Zia-ur-Rehman will lead Afghanistan’s spin attack in Rashid’s absence.

Gulbadin Naib, Fareed Ahmad and Yama Arab, who were a part of the preliminary squad announced last month, have been omitted, while pacer Naveed Zadran is also missing due to a side strain.

AFG vs NZ Squads

Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Afsar Zazai (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Bahir Shah, Shahidullah Kamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Shams Ur Rahman, Zia-ur-Rehman, Zahir Khan, Qais Ahmad, Khalil Ahmad and Nijat Masood.

New Zealand: Tim Southee (C), Tom Blundell (WK), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (VC), Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Kane Williamson, Will Young.