08:50 Local Time, 03:20 GMT, 08:50 IST:"It is still raining in Greater Noida and due to frequent rains, the 5th and final day of Afghanistan vs New Zealand test has been also called off by the match officials." - update from Afghanistan Cricket Board. That's that then.

08:45 Local Time, 03:15 GMT, 08:45 IST -- Day 5: Hello and welcome to the final day of what has been a damp and disappointing Test match. There has been no play for four days and it is very unlikely that we will see any today. There was lot to look forward to coming into this game but the weather and substandard ground conditions have denied us of any action. There was no rain for the first two days but the poor drainage didn't allow any cricket to happen, while it rained on days 3 and 4 making it near impossible to get play, in fact the days were abandoned very early on and we can expect something similar today. We should have news regarding the day's play soon. Stay tuned..

09:13 Local Time, 03:43 GMT, 09:13 IST: We have bad news. Day 4 has been abandoned as well.

For those wondering why we have not had a single ball in three days even though there was no rain during the scheduled playing hours on the first two days, here's Pratyush describing what is happening in Greater Noida

08:45 Local Time, 03:15 GMT, 08:45 IST: Is Day 4 going to be the lucky day? Hello and welcome..

09:12 Local Time, 03:42 GMT, 09:12 IST: We have an official update - Play has been abandoned for Day 3.

Our colleague, Pratyush, informs, that there have been heavy showers here this morning and there's no chance the toss is happening at 9am

08:43 Local Time, 03:13 GMT, 08:43 IST: BlackCaps have posted on their official handle on X (formerly known as Twitter) that there was more overnight rain in Noida. Likely further delays to the start of the Test on Day 3.

08:30 Local Time, 03:00 GMT, 08:30 IST -- Day 3 We have lost two entire days of this one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand. The toss also hasn’t taken place yet due to the wet outfield. The groundsmen have tried different methods to get the ground fit for play, but alas no play has been possible. The sun has shone brightly throughout the last two days but there was heavy rain for a couple of weeks preceding this game which caused the damage. There was also some overnight rain day before yesterday. It must be frustrating for the players but let’s hope we get some cricketing action today.

15:04 Local Time, 09:34 GMT, 15:04 IST:

14:32 Local Time, 09:02 GMT, 14:32 IST: The next inspection is around half an hour away. Hopefully, we will have some better news

kumariyer: why is it not mandatory for all international grounds to have covers that cover the whole ground? lately most rain hit matches are delayed due to outfield rather than pitch. I would think it is a no brainer to cover the whole area -- well, sometimes it's not economically feasible to cover the entire ground. Also, a lot of manpower is required which some venues don't have

14:06 Local Time, 08:36 GMT, 14:06 IST: Some of the players from the NZ team are seen having a net session on the strip of pitch besides the main pitch.

NZ team is here. A lot of them are in chappals on the outfield. Herath has the spinners in tow and leading the practice on one of the side pitches - that's the latest from Pratyush

12:03 Local Time, 06:33 GMT, 12:03 IST: The inspection is done and there's no good news. Another one is scheduled for 15:00 local. The players have not even arrived to the ground and are still in their hotel.

11:50 Local Time, 06:20 GMT, 11:50 IST: We are around 10 minutes away from inspection and Pratyush pings with more bad news -"The groundsmen have brought out the daris and covers and laid it by the side it the pitch. Maybe they anticipate some rain." Getting any play today looks bleak with every new update.

Pratyush reports from the venue: On the offside at a similar spot, they are using two fans face-down to dry the spot. From a distance, that spot looks as bad as the one they are 'operating' on at the moment

09:13 Local Time, 03:43 GMT, 09:13 IST: There is an inspection scheduled at 12 local. "It is the same story. We had a huge downpour last evening and we have some new (wet) patches to worry about. The area is around cover-point/ mid-wicket region. They are taking out the patch of grass and replacing it with new ones. This might work. But at the moment it is not looking promising," reports Farveez Maharoof.

08:55 Local Time, 03:25 GMT, 08:55 IST: Oh ho! We have some bad news. Here's Pratyush with the latest ping - Unlikely to start on time. The groundsmen are digging up the square near the mid-on area at the pavilion end which was a trouble spot all through yesterday and it must not have helped that it poured last night."

08:35 Local Time, 03:05 GMT, 08:35 IST -- Day 2: It was a damp start to this one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand. We couldn't even have the toss due to the wet outfield. The weather was fine with the sun out the whole day but the rains from the last couple of weeks had done the damage and the groundstaff could not get the ground ready. Hopefully it is better today and we can have some action. The two teams have waited long and will be eager to get on with things. Our colleague, Pratyush, informs "It's sunny at the moment." That's a good start.