The second day of the only Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand suffered the same miserable fate as the first due to rain in Greater Noida, though not during the hours of play, and the quality of the outfield.
The draw was scheduled half an hour earlier at 9:00 to make up for the day being abandoned, but at 8:55 the announcement came that the conditions were not suitable for play and that there would be an inspection at 12:00.
The report on the 9.10 broadcast was that “torrential overnight downpours from 6pm last night, for 90 minutes, at one stage left the outfield completely and utterly flooded.” Moisture underfoot remained a major problem and there was little hope of the ground being playable by midday.
Ground staff tried to dry several wet spots on the pitch using electric fans. They cut blocks of dry grass from the practice nets and transplanted them to a wet area within a 30-yard radius. Although the sun was shining, the ground was not ready at noon and the next inspection was scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
The New Zealand players arrived at the pitch around 12:25 and a practice net was installed next to the main pitch for them to practice. Spinner Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santer started to bowl first and were soon joined by the fast bowlers while Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell batted. On the other hand, the Afghanistan players did not arrive at the venue.
The game was called off the next day at 14:55, the draw had not yet taken place.
