AFG vs NZ Match

3:52 AM IST Right then, history has been created in Greater Noida, not quite the way one would have intended it to but this game between Afghanistan and New Zealand is the first Test of the 21st century to be abandoned without a ball being bowled and the Kiwis have now been a part of 3 out of the 8 such abandoned Tests. Anyway, it is time for both teams to move on as they will be in action soon. Afghanistan will now head to Sharjah as they host South Africa for a three-match ODI series beginning on the 18th of September. New Zealand will continue their subcontinental tour as they head to Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series, which will also start on the 18th of September. You can switch tabs and check the complete schedule and tune in to our coverage on matchday as well. Till then, take care and goodbye!

3:47 AM IST The broadcasters do come live for a few minutes to re-confirm the news and it is such a shame and the visuals from the ground show how much water there still is on the covers and on the outfield as well. There was never really any chance of play once the first two days were abandoned even when the sun was out during the time of play. Heavy and persistent rain on the morning of Day 3 really sealed the fate of this game and neither of the teams nor the fans will be pleased to see such a fate of a Test match.

3:15 AM IST UPDATE - 3.15 am GMT - It is now official and the final day of the Test match has also been called off due to rain which means, this becomes the 8th Test match in history to be ABANDONED WITHOUT A BALL BEING BOWLED as confirmed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board. The broadcasters gave an indication on Day 4 that it was inevitable and the wait for the final day would just be a formality and unfortunately, the players and the fans go home empty-handed. Stay tuned as we might get to hear from the broadcasters and from the teams as well pretty soon.

3:00 AM IST Hello and welcome back folks! It is Day 5 of the One-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand in Greater Noida and we haven't had any play at all on the first four days of the game. Also, once again there has been overnight rain which means we should be bracing ourselves for an official confirmation pretty soon which might be made at 3.30 am GMT, in about half an hour. So, stick around as we bring you the latest updates.

2:58 AM IST ... DAY 5, SESSION 1 ...

3:45 AM IST UPDATE - 3.45 am GMT - The broadcasters are now live and they inform that there won't be any play possible on Day 4 and they will come back on Day 5 but also inform that in all likeness the news on Day 5 will be that the Test match will be abandoned. This means that once everything is confirmed on day 5, it will be the eighth Test match in history to be abandoned without a single ball being bowled. Incidentally, the last such instance also involved New Zealand as their Test match against India was abandoned in Dunedin in 1998. Anyway, the broadcasters show that they will be live at 3.40 am GMT on Friday which is Day 5 of the Test match and we can expect an official announcement about the play being called off which is such a shame. Do join us from 3 am GMT for the build-up and until then, take care and goodbye!

3:30 AM IST UPDATE - 3.30 am GMT - The news from the ground is that all the repair work we saw happening on Day 2 was completed but unfortunately, it has started to drizzle at the venue right now. The weather forecast isn't the best for the remaining two days and it looks like we are in for another long delay at the start of Day 4. Stay tuned for further updates regarding the state of play.

3:10 AM IST After the first two days were called off due to the outfield being unfit for any play, Day 3 was abandoned pretty early due to persistent rains. There isn't any rain currently at the venue but there was some overnight rain which means we will have another delay to begin Day 4 and the overhead conditions aren't promising either. Stick around as we bring you the latest updates from the ground.

3:06 AM IST Hello and welcome everyone to our coverage of the One-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand from Greater Noida. We have had three days fly by in the game and there's been no action and it looks like we won't have any action soon on Day 4 either.

3:05 AM IST ... DAY 4, SESSION 1 ...

3:50 AM IST UPDATE - 3.50 am GMT - Well people, it is a quick decision and Day 3 has been called off due to rain. Given what we saw on the first two days with clear weather and yet, the outfield was unable to get ready for play, so, with rain still pouring down, there seems to be no chance that the ground would get ready for any play today. The broadcasters have confirmed the news and it looks like the beginning of the end for this Test match. Do join us on Thursday for Day 4 scheduled to start at 4 am GMT with our coverage beginning an hour in advance as usual but if there is any decision taken regarding the fate of this Test match prior to that, we will surely update the same. Till then, take care and goodbye!