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September 9, 2024
This will be the first Test match between New Zealand and Afghanistan. Both teams are returning to Test cricket after a long break. They last played each other during the T20 World Cup in June. New Zealand faced a heavy defeat that led to an unexpected early exit from the tournament. That game occurred in Providence, Guyana, far from their current Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh venue. The spin-friendly conditions in Greater Noida help level the playing field and balance the differences in Test experience between the two teams.
New Zealand has been playing its first test match since March and its first international game since June. Recently, there has been a lot of talk about New Zealand players choosing between club and country, with some turning down or accepting short-term contracts. Although this match isn’t part of the World Test Championship (WTC), New Zealand will be eager to win it. They’ve already lost to Afghanistan this year and want to start their series of six Tests in the subcontinent with a victory. Currently, they are third in the WTC standings, but with two Tests in Sri Lanka and three in India ahead, it will be challenging to secure a top-two finish.
Afghanistan doesn’t play enough Test matches to be part of the World Test Championship. Their upcoming game against New Zealand is only their tenth Test since they joined the international cricket community in 2017. Apart from two Tests against Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi, they haven’t played any series longer than a single match. They are known for playing at locations with no permanent home, having used eight venues for their first nine Tests. Greater Noida will be their ninth venue. Afghanistan has lost their last three Tests, but a win against New Zealand could help them secure more Test matches in the future.
Afghanistan’s recent Test results are: Lost, Lost, Lost, Win, Lost (most recent first).
New Zealand’s recent Test results are Lost, Lost, Win, Win.
Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel has played just 16 Tests since his debut in 2018, mainly featuring in New Zealand’s tours of Asia. If all goes well, he could play six more Tests in the next two months. The last time Ajaz was in India, in 2021, he achieved a remarkable feat by taking all ten wickets in a Test innings, joining Jim Laker and Anil Kumble in this rare achievement. With 26 wickets at an average of 23.73 in India and Sri Lanka, Ajaz is expected to lead New Zealand’s spin attack against Afghanistan and beyond.
Kane Williamson’s decision to give up the white-ball captaincy and decline a central contract in June was a significant moment for New Zealand. However, he has reaffirmed his commitment to Test cricket and has been in outstanding form over the past two years. At 34, this may be his last opportunity to improve his record in India, where he averages 33.53 in eight Tests and hasn’t scored a century since his debut in 2010.
Seam-bowling allrounder Azmatullah Omarzai, a regular in Afghanistan’s white-ball teams, could make his Test debut against New Zealand. He performed well in India during the 2023 ODI World Cup and played for Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2024. Although he has limited first-class experience, with only five matches, his middle-order batting and ability to swing the ball could provide a valuable balance for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan will be without their top wicket-taker, Rashid Khan, taking a break from Test cricket for medical reasons. Ibrahim Zadran, their second-highest run-scorer in Tests, is also out due to an ankle sprain. He will miss this Test and the three-match ODI series against South Africa.
Their squad also needs well-known T20 players, such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Noor Ahmad. With many of their players coming from T20 leagues, quickly adapting to the five-day Test format will be a challenge.
For Afghanistan, the probable XI is:
New Zealand’s challenge is to balance their bowling attack for the conditions. They might choose to play just two specialist seamers alongside allrounder Daryl Mitchell. The seamers could be Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Ben Sears, or Will O’Rourke. Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner will be the specialist spinners, with Rachin Ravindra and one of Glenn Phillips or Michael Bracewell as part-time spin options.
New Zealand’s probable XI is:
Greater Noida will host its first Test match on Monday, becoming the 124th venue for Test cricket. It has previously hosted 11 ODIs and T20Is involving Afghanistan and Ireland. Afghanistan also played two Intercontinental Cup matches here in 2016 and 2017.
Recent rain in Greater Noida has impacted preparations. New Zealand has to cancel their practice session before the Test due to poor ground conditions. More rain is expected throughout the week. Depending on the weather conditions, the pitch is likely to be made of black soil, which could favor spin bowlers over pace bowlers.
“It’s tough. Six Test matches in this part of the world, you’d think spin plays a majority of the part as a bowling unit. We’ve got four quality pace bowlers at our disposal as well. So it’s about which balance is right.”
New Zealand captain Tim Southee on their team combination
“I think it’s tough to be missing players like Rashid Khan because he did very well in the past for us in the Test format. So we will miss him and some other players also. But at the same time, we have other talented guys. It’s an opportunity for them to make their names in the world of cricket and show their talent. Especially in Test cricket, I think if we do well then the whole world will talk about this [in a] very positive [way].”
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi discussed the chances available for his players.
Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for The Wicket Insider, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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