Afghanistan to play first-ever Test against New Zealand from September 9-13 in Noida

Afghanistan will play its first-ever Test match against New Zealand on September 9 to 13 in Greater Noida, country's cricket board announced on Saturday.

New Zealand Test squ will n again be back in India within a month to play a three-Test series against Rohit Sharma's men, starting October in Bengaluru.

Greater Noida venue has been allocated for Afghanistan’s home games, following a mutual agreement between Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

" ACB confirms it will host New Zealand National Cricket Team for a one-off Test Match from September 9–13 in Greater Noida, India. This historic event will mark Afghanistan's first Test match against Blackcaps and first-ever bilateral cricket series hosted by ACB involving New Zealand," ACB said in a statement.

Blackcaps are set to arrive in Greater Noida on September 5 for a three-day conditioning camp ahe of Test Match.

Afghanistan will he to Delhi in late August for a one-week-long training and preparation camp.

ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf expressed his excitement about hosting New Zealand for first time.

“We are delighted to host a quality New Zealand Test team for first time in our cricketing history. This is a testament to hard work we have put in through numerous discussions and meetings with different boards on sidelines of various ICC Board Meetings," he said.

“ Blackcaps are an outstanding all-format team in world cricket, and we hope to reach an agreement with New Zealand Cricket for white-ball bilateral matches in future.” This will be Afghanistan’s 10th Test match and ir first against New Zealand since acquiring Test status in 2017.

Afghanistan has previously won three Test matches, one each against Ireland (2019), Banglesh (2019) and Zimbabwe (2021).