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The first day’s play of the one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was cancelled on Monday without a toss due to earlier rain creating a damp outfield.
The toss is scheduled for 9:00 am (0330 GMT) on Tuesday, the second day of the five-day competition, and officials are aiming to get 98 overs over the course of the day.
Referees carried out repeated inspections throughout Monday at Afghanistan’s adopted home ground near the Indian capital New Delhi in Greater Noida, the first Test at the venue.
Ground crews worked overtime to clear wet areas on the ground, which enjoyed bright sunshine for much of the day.
But the region has been hit by heavy rains over the past ten days. Several training sessions were cancelled for both teams ahead of the match.
Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran injured his ankle on the eve of the Test while playing on a damp pitch on the away pitch.
Afghanistan has hosted several T20 and ODI international matches since 2017 at the venue which lacks world-class facilities.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has offered Afghanistan training and match venues outside the troubled country, including in the northern Indian cities of Lucknow and Dehradun.
This is only Afghanistan’s 10th Test match.
The little fish have played nine matches and lost six, including their difficult start when they lost the opening match against India inside two days.
After that, Tim Southee’s New Zealand will tour Sri Lanka for a two-Test series and then return to India for three five-day matches.
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