Afghanistan Cricket Board Clarifies Choice of Noida Stadium Amid Venue Criticism
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has released a statement addressing recent criticism regarding the facilities at Noida Stadium, where Afghanistan played a rain-affected Test match against New Zealand. Initially, media reports suggested that the ACB had expressed dissatisfaction with the venue’s inadequate resources and blamed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for assigning the stadium.
The ACB clarified that it had voluntarily chosen Noida as the venue after being offered three options by the BCCI: Kanpur, Bengaluru, and Noida. The decision was based on logistical considerations, with Noida being just two hours away from Delhi, making travel more convenient for the Afghan team.
Team manager Minhajuddin Raza explained that while Noida appeared to be the most practical option due to its proximity to the capital, the reality of playing there turned into a “nightmare” due to the stadium’s lack of facilities. The match was severely affected by rain, with the opening day on September 9 completely washed out due to a wet outfield, and the second day also experiencing delays.
Despite the issues, the ACB later softened its stance, highlighting that the Noida Stadium has been Afghanistan’s designated home venue since 2016. They have hosted several white-ball matches at the stadium in the past without major concerns.
This clarification came after reports surfaced that the BCCI was unhappy with the public criticism from Afghanistan officials. The ACB reiterated that the decision to play at Noida was made voluntarily, with logistical challenges in mind, rather than being forced upon them by the BCCI.
The dissatisfaction over the facilities, however, remains a key issue. Reports indicate that Afghanistan’s national team has formally announced they will no longer use the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium in Greater Noida for future matches. A source within the ACB confirmed that future games will be relocated to Lucknow, citing the lack of basic amenities at Noida as the primary reason for the decision.
The ACB’s statement aims to clarify its position, while also addressing the concerns raised by the team during the rain-hit match against New Zealand. The board is expected to prioritize better facilities and infrastructure in future venues to avoid similar issues.
