New Zealand cricket team arrived at the Delhi Airport on Thursday (September 5) for a one-off Test match. Notably, the Kiwis are scheduled to play a one-off Test match in the Asian country. However, it will not be against the host country. The Black Caps have indeed landed in India for a red-ball international fixture but it is not a usual sight to see them play a Test match against a third country.
Notably, the Blackcaps will take on Afghanistan in a Teast match at the Greater Noida Sports Complex. A report carried by news agency ANI confirmed that New Zealand Test captain Tim Southee, star batter Kane Williamson, vice-captain Tom Lathom as well as the other members of their squad were seen at the Indira Gandhi International Airport before they reached Uttar Pradesh's Greater Noida.
Take a look at the viral video here:
No Rashid Khan In Afghanistan vs New Zealand One-off Test
Ahead of the Test match which is scheduled to get underway on September 9 (Monday), it is important to note that star all-rounder Rashid Khan will give the one-off Tes match a skip due to a back injury. Rashid had sustained the injury while plying his trade for the Speen Ghar Tigers in the Shpageeza Cricket League, Afghanistan's domestic T20 tournament.
The Test match will mark the return of Afghanistan to playing their 'home' matches in India. Notably, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has approved the country to use Indian venues for their matches. Afghanistan, a country which is under Taliban rule, countinues to play international cricket having reached the semifinal of the T20 World Cup held in USA and West Indies earlier in the year.