Hygiene Concerns Arise in AFG Vs NZ One-Off Test Match as Caterers Reportedly Use Urinal Washrooms for Cleaning Utensils at Greater Noida Stadium

New Delhi: Shocking footage has emerged showing the catering service at the Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Cricket Stadium in Greater Noida using the wash basins in the urinal washroom to clean utensils, completely disregarding all hygiene protocols. The incident, which was captured on camera on Tuesday, has sparked outrage as the highly anticipated one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand has been delayed due to a waterlogged outfield caused by days of persistent rain.

The stadium, which has hosted 11 white-ball matches (ODIs and T20Is), has come under severe scrutiny after the first two days of the game were abandoned due to unplayable ground conditions caused by persistent rains. Although Greater Noida has been witnessing occasional rains, no proper measures were taken to protect the field of play as large patches of muddy and soggy outfield posed a higher risk for the players.

Additionally, there were several complaints of lack of facilities at the venue for press who went to cover the match. As many as 20-25 groundstaffs were seen battling the conditions besides the five super soppers. Despite that, the drying process turned out to be slow and not up the mark.

It is also understood that the covers used to cover the ground were rented from a local tent house, thus giving a clear idea of lack of preparedness and proper planning required for an international cricket match. The absence of a proper drainage system also raised several questions.

Earlier on Day 1, as many as six pitch and ground inspections took place before the day was called off. The story was same on Day 2 with two inspections taking place at 12 PM and 3 PM respectively before the officials decided to abandon the day’s play.

“The second day of Afghanistan vs New Zealand is also called of due to wet outfield. The game was planned for today, but it rained again last night and the due to the wet outfit the game couldn’t take place today as well,” Afghanistan Cricket Board said in a statement on Tuesday.