Greater Noida Test: Confident Afghanistan face big challenge against New Zealand

GREATER NOIDA: Afghanistan’s hopes of pulling off a victory over New Zealand are viable as they have past experience of playing here.

Afghanistan will take on New Zealand in a one-off Test starting 9 September.

The disparity in Test experience between Afghanistan and New Zealand is substantial, but Hashmatullah Shahidi and his team will look to gain from familiarity with the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida, where they have previously played five ODIs and six T20Is.

Hashmatullah Shahidi will captain Afghanistan while other prominent names in the squad include Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, and Azmatullah Omarzai.

During a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Shahidi said. “We want to show to the world our best format is Test cricket. And I mentioned before that we accept all kinds of challenges, and I am telling the boys also that these opportunities are very big opportunities for us, each and every one to show our skill, to show our talent and make… if I am a batsman, make a big score, big runs. So your name will be among the big names in the future. So if you want that, this is the place and time to show. I think we have that ability to do it and need to show”.

Further Hashmatullah Shahidi stressed on more red-ball matches for his team.

“In six years, nine games is not more. If we get more chances with big teams, we will improve. It’s a good opportunity for us to play against New Zealand, given their ranking. Hopefully, the ACB will try harder to give us opportunities against bigger teams in the future,” he added.

Seam-bowling all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai is likely to make his Test debut, while Zia-ur-Rehman, Zahir Khan, Khalil Ahmed, Qais Ahmad, Shahidullah Kamal and Bahir Shah are the spin options.

Spin is expected to dominate proceedings and New Zealand have come well prepared with five slow bowling options. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who returns to India for the first time since his 10-wicket haul in Mumbai in 2021, is expected to make the playing XI.

With rain and thunderstorms forecast throughout the week, the match is likely to be affected.

The Indian fans can livestream Afghanistan vs New Zealand one-off Test on the FanCode app and website and will be broadcast on the Eurosport TV channel.

Match Starts: 10:00 AM

Squads:

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

New Zealand Squad: Devon Conway, Tom Latham(w), Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee(c), Matt Henry, Tom Blundell, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, William ORourke.