The Greater Noida Cricket Stadium, currently hosting the one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand, has come under heavy scrutiny for its inadequate facilities. The stadium, which had been chosen as Afghanistan’s home venue, has faced a barrage of complaints regarding its unpreparedness to host international-level matches. Till now there is zero bowls have been bowled in the match and before that it is getting viral everywhere on social media because of the poor arrangements and irregularities. 

The latest controversy surrounding the stadium erupted when a social media user, Nitin K Srivastav, posted an alarming image on X (formerly Twitter). The image showed a person allegedly using water from a urinal washroom for catering purposes. The post was captioned: "Ok so catering here at Greater Noida stadium is using urinal washroom Water tap for their water needs very hygienic." The image has sparked outrage on social media, further tarnishing the stadium’s reputation.

Concerns from the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB)

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has also expressed its dissatisfaction with the facilities provided at the Greater Noida Stadium. An official from the ACB, who requested anonymity, voiced the team's displeasure, stating that they would never return to the venue due to the poor arrangements.

“This is a huge mess, we are never coming back here. The players are also unhappy with the facilities here. We had spoken with the concerned people well in advance and were assured by the stadium guys that everything will be in order,” the ACB official told PTI.

Afghanistan has been hosting its home games in India due to the ongoing conflicts in their country, but the experience at Greater Noida has been far from satisfactory.

History of Poor Conditions

The issues at the Greater Noida Stadium aren't new. The venue had been banned by the BCCI back in 2017, primarily due to poor drainage conditions. In 2016, the stadium hosted a pink-ball Duleep Trophy match but failed to live up to expectations.

Despite assurances from the authorities, the stadium's management, which is overseen by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority, has come under fire for its failure to deliver on promises made to the ACB and cricketing authorities.

Hashmatullah Shahidi’s Call for a New Home Venue

Ahead of the match, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi had already voiced his concerns about the state of Afghanistan's home venues. He urged the ACB and BCCI to find a better location for their future matches, saying, "India is our home, and when we host teams, other nations have played more cricket here."

This Test marks Afghanistan’s third time hosting a match in India. The team previously played against Ireland in Dehradun and against West Indies in Lucknow in 2019. However, the current circumstances at Greater Noida have further highlighted the need for a more suitable venue for the Afghan team.

Day 2 Washed Out Due to Wet Outfield

The situation worsened when Day 2 of the Test match was called off due to a wet outfield. Despite sunny conditions, the ground staff were unable to clear a wet patch caused by an overnight drizzle, leading to the cancellation of the entire day’s play.

The series of mishaps at the Greater Noida Stadium has not only embarrassed the organizers but also added to the growing frustration among players and officials. With mounting criticism, it remains to be seen if the venue will host any future international matches.