Afghanistan to Play New Zealand in Historic Test

Afghanistan is set to host New Zealand for a one-off Test match at the Greater Noida Sports Complex in early September, marking the first red-ball encounter between the two teams. This Test will be Afghanistan's 10th overall and their third in 2024, the most they have played in a single year. The match is scheduled to take place from September 9 to 13, just before New Zealand's three-Test series in India starting October 16. Afghanistan has struggled in their recent Tests, losing to Sri Lanka and Ireland in 2024, and their last victory came against Zimbabwe in March 2021. Following this match, only England, Australia, Pakistan, and South Africa will remain unplayed against Afghanistan in Test cricket. Australia had previously withdrawn from hosting Afghanistan due to humanitarian concerns in 2021.