Afghanistan were set to take on New Zealand in a one-off Test match at the Shahid Vijay Pathik Sports Complex Stadium in Greater Noida. However, the match has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons as the first three days of play have been called off. This is due to the poor conditions of the ground after rainfall. The ground management has been called into question and the match is heading towards a draw without a ball being bowled. However, there is still a way that the match can produce a result.
A result can be produced in the controversial Afghanistan vs New Zealand match, only if both captains Tim Southee and Hashmatullah Shahidi mutually decide to forfeit one innings each from their quota of two innings. This will make the match just a two-innings affair instead of the traditional four, and the chances of producing a result thus increase, even if the next two days of play happen in full force.
Has This Happened Before?
Such an instance has happened only one time in the history of Test Cricket in a match between England and South Africa back in 2000. The Proteas posted 155/6 at the end of play on Day 1, before rain came into play. The next three days were completely washed out. Hansie Cronje, the South Africa captain, suggested that both teams should forfeit one innings each. As the action resumed on Day 5, England captain Nasser Hussain agreed to Cronje’s demands, and South Africa declared when the score read 249, and England needed 250 to win the match, with one innings each forfeited by both teams.
Is Forfeiting Within The Rules Of Cricket?
Forfeiting an innings of a Test Match is well within the laws of cricket. According to Law 15.2 of the MCC rulebook, “A captain may forfeit either of his/her side’s innings at any time before the commencement of that innings. A forfeited innings shall be considered to be a completed innings.”