AFG vs NZ Greater Noida Stadium Controversy: The only Test match being played between Afghanistan and New Zealand at Greater Noida’s Shaheed Vijay Pathik Sports Complex Ground has been mired in controversies right from the beginning. Questions are being raised as to why the Afghan team made this stadium, which is already banned by the BCCI, their home ground. This Test match was to start from September 9. Let us tell you that for this Test match, the BCCI had given the option of three stadiums to the Afghanistan Cricket Board. But Afghanistan chose the banned Greater Noida Stadium as their home ground.
Why did Afghanistan make Greater Noida Stadium its home ground despite the ban?
Actually, due to the political situation in Afghanistan, they are not able to play international matches in their country. In such a situation, BCCI had offered them stadiums in Kanpur, Bengaluru and Greater Noida. BCCI has already imposed a ban on Greater Noida Stadium, yet it is hosting the match. According to a report by Indian Express, ACB had earlier demanded to host the match in a stadium in Lucknow or Dehradun. But BCCI turned down their request saying that both the stadiums are hosting state level T20 leagues. After this, Greater Noida Stadium was the only option left.
According to a Sportstar report, the BCCI gave the ACB the option of Kanpur, Bengaluru and Greater Noida. But Afghanistan chose Greater Noida because it is close to Delhi, making it easier to come here from Kabul. There is a direct flight from Kabul to Delhi.
Why did BCCI ban Greater Noida Stadium?
In 2017, the BCCI banned the Greater Noida stadium. The decision was taken after the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption Unit found that the stadium was hosting matches of a private T20 league, which was accused of match-fixing. However, in 2016, the stadium received international stadium status from the International Cricket Council (ICC), and Afghanistan played their home matches here.
Also read:
IND vs BAN: Sarfaraz Khan got a place in Team India against Bangladesh, but will still play the second round of Duleep Trophy
