Greater Noida stadium manager breaks silence following 'controversial allegations' that embroiled BCCI in AFG vs NZ Test aftermath

There was very little rain in Greater Noida during Day 4 of the event, despite most of the ground being covered. However, overnight showers created some puddles on the outfield, revealing a lack of preparation at the stadium. Similar issues were also seen on the first two days of the event, with ground staff resorting to using electric fans to dry wet patches and even replacing a wet outfield area with dry soil and fresh turf. Despite their efforts, an ACB official described the situation as "a mess," according to PTI reports.

Another ACB official was quoted by The Indian Express saying that the BCCI had rejected their request to host the match in Lucknow or Dehradun, with the Indian board having offered alternate venues such as Bengaluru and Kanpur. However, speaking to reporters after Day 2, Menhajuddin Naz, ACB international cricket manager, clarified that Afghanistan picked Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex in Greater Noida for logistical reasons.

Amid the allegations of mismanagement, the venue manager of the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, speaking to Radio channel 93.5 Red FM hit back at the criticism, saying that the naysayers are making those remarks because they need content.

“The Afghanistan team had arrived on 30 August and they played a 3-day (intra-squad) match from 1-2 September where they scored more than 300 runs. We delivered the pitch as per coach Jonathan Trott’s demand,” the concerned person said. “The rain is causing the major trouble which isn’t in our hands. The closest stadium to this one is Delhi (Arun Jaitley Stadium) where the downpour has resulted in the cancellation of (DPL 2024) matches. The showers are so heavy that the water penetrates the covers despite enveloping the entire ground.

“And it’s not that Afghanistan are not aware of this ground. It has been their home venue for three years and they surely have trained in rainy conditions. Had their board been unaware, they wouldn’t have approved this venue to host the game.”

The RJ responded to the statement saying, “Jitna to humari team nahi kheli, itna to inhone khela hai (the Indian cricket team has never played but the Afghans did),” to which the stadium manager replied: "Kuch logon ko content chahiye hotein hain, unko reality nahi jaan na (People just need content and don’t want to know the reality).”