- NZ vs AFG: The Greater Noida stadium where the test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand is to be played has had a long history of poor facilities.
Source : Afghanistan Cricket Board
NZ vs AFG Greater Noida Stadium:
The Greater Noida stadium, which is hosting the New Zealand and Afghanistan Test match, is in the news for the wrong reasons. Only one Test match is to be played between the two teams, but the Noida stadium management seems to be broke even in hosting it. If you notice, the history of this stadium has been very bad and it has also had to face bans.
This stadium in Greater Noida was given permission by the ICC to host international matches in 2016. At that time it was appointed as the home ground of the Afghanistan cricket team. In 2017, it hosted the five-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Ireland and has hosted many international matches after that.
had to face a ban
Meanwhile, in 2017, BCCI’s Anti Corruption Unit banned this stadium due to match fixing during a private league. After that, no event or match organized by BCCI has been held in this stadium. But due to being an ICC approved stadium, Afghanistan’s matches continued to be held in the Greater Noida ground.
Why did the match take place in Noida despite the ban?
Actually when the Afghanistan vs New Zealand Test match was confirmed, the Afghanistan Cricket Board had demanded that its match be held in Lucknow or Dehradun. Since the domestic season has started in India at this time and due to many T20 leagues being played, matches had already been fixed in the stadiums of Lucknow and Dehradun. Due to this, Noida was the last option left for Afghanistan’s match.
Afghanistan was given 3 home grounds
After the Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the situation of cricket there is not very good. At the same time, citing the denial of women’s rights, many countries have refused to play series with Afghanistan. In such a situation, after the appeal of AFG, BCCI declared Noida, Lucknow and Kanpur as the home ground of the Afghanistan team this year.
Cricket fans were left puzzled when the Afghanistan-New Zealand match took place at Noida Stadium, a venue with a long history of poor facilities and limited infrastructure. Known more for its controversies than its cricketing glory, Noida Stadium has been under scrutiny for years due to its inadequate facilities, lack of proper maintenance, and subpar amenities for players and spectators. Yet, despite these challenges, the match between Afghanistan and New Zealand went ahead, leaving many to wonder why such a crucial international game was scheduled at a stadium that had faced a ban and harsh criticism.
In this blog, we dive into the history of Noida Stadium, explore the reasons behind its ban, and understand why the Afghanistan-New Zealand match took place despite the venue’s reputation.
The Troubled History of Noida Stadium
Noida Stadium, officially known as the “Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex,” has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Over the years, the stadium has become infamous for its poor infrastructure, ranging from inadequate dressing rooms, malfunctioning scoreboards, and lack of proper seating for fans. These issues have made it a controversial venue, with several domestic and international matches being either relocated or canceled.
In addition to these operational shortcomings, the stadium also faced issues related to the playing conditions, such as poor-quality pitches that did not meet international standards. This led to mounting complaints from teams and officials, eventually resulting in a ban on hosting major cricket events. However, despite this troubled past, the stadium remained a secondary option for lower-tier matches and training facilities, further cementing its image as a venue in need of major upgrades.
Why Did the Afghanistan-New Zealand Match Take Place?
Given the stadium’s poor reputation and its history of being banned, the decision to host an international fixture between Afghanistan and New Zealand raised eyebrows. However, there are several factors that could have influenced this decision:
1. Scheduling Constraints and Venue Availability
One of the primary reasons why the match may have taken place at Noida Stadium could be due to scheduling constraints. The international cricket calendar is tightly packed, and finding available venues that meet all the criteria for a match can be a challenge. With limited time and alternative venues already booked for other events or matches, organizers may have been forced to settle for Noida Stadium despite its shortcomings.
2. Financial and Logistical Considerations
Organizing international matches is an expensive affair, and venue selection often involves balancing cost with convenience. Noida Stadium, being in the National Capital Region (NCR), is easily accessible from New Delhi, one of the largest cities in India. Hosting the match at this venue may have been a cost-effective solution, especially if other higher-profile stadiums in the region were unavailable or too expensive to book for the occasion.
Additionally, logistical factors such as travel convenience for teams and proximity to accommodations could have played a role in the decision. The stadium’s location in the NCR allows teams to stay in nearby hotels with easy transportation access to the venue, making it a convenient, if less glamorous, option.
3. Afghanistan’s “Home Ground” Situation
Afghanistan’s cricket team has faced several challenges regarding hosting matches in their home country due to political instability and security concerns. As a result, they have often had to play their “home” matches at neutral venues. Over the years, India has become a key supporter of Afghanistan cricket, providing venues and facilities for them to continue playing international matches.
Noida Stadium, while not ideal, may have been one of the few options available to Afghanistan for hosting the New Zealand match. Given the lack of alternatives, the Afghan cricket board may have agreed to use the venue despite its known issues, prioritizing the opportunity to play the match over the quality of the facilities.
4. Temporary Upgrades and Promises
In some cases, venues with poor reputations can still be used if temporary upgrades are made to address immediate concerns. It’s possible that the Noida Stadium authorities, under pressure from the organizers, made last-minute improvements to meet the minimum standards required for hosting the Afghanistan-New Zealand match. This could have included pitch repairs, temporary dressing room enhancements, or installing additional spectator amenities.
While these improvements may not have resolved all the stadium’s issues, they could have been sufficient to allow the match to proceed under the supervision of match officials.
The Broader Impact on Indian Cricket Infrastructure
The decision to hold the Afghanistan-New Zealand match at Noida Stadium brings attention to a larger issue within Indian cricket – the disparity between world-class stadiums and underdeveloped venues. While India boasts iconic stadiums like Wankhede, Eden Gardens, and Narendra Modi Stadium, venues like Noida Stadium highlight the need for further investment in infrastructure across the country.
For cricket to continue growing, especially with the increasing number of international matches, India must ensure that all venues meet global standards in terms of facilities and player safety. Matches being played at subpar venues not only damage the reputation of Indian cricket but also affect the overall experience for both players and fans.
Conclusion: A Tough Decision for Afghanistan and New Zealand
The Afghanistan-New Zealand match at Noida Stadium may have taken place due to a combination of scheduling challenges, logistical convenience, and the lack of better alternatives. While the stadium’s history of poor facilities raises questions, sometimes compromises must be made in the complex world of international cricket scheduling.
As cricket continues to expand and more teams like Afghanistan rely on neutral venues for their matches, it’s crucial for governing bodies to invest in improving stadium infrastructure across all levels. Noida Stadium’s shortcomings are well-documented, and the hope is that this match brings about the necessary attention and resources for its long-overdue upgrade, so it can one day stand proudly among India’s great cricket venues.