Kiwis to go ahead with Test against Afghanistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): New Zealand Cricket will go ahead with a Test match against Afghanistan in September, says a media report.

The announcement from Kiwis comes a month after Australia scrapped a T20I series against Afghanistan, the Business Standard reported.

New Zealand said they would play a one-off Test against Afghanistan at a venue yet to be decided.

"The consensus view was that a boycott in isolation would change nothing in Afghanistan," said New Zealand Cricket spokesman Richard Boock.

"It would be more constructive to keep dialogue and participation channels open, while continuing to advocate strongly for change.

"NZC strongly believes that cricket is a game for everyone and would like to see far greater support for the women's game in Afghanistan in the short to medium term," Boock said.

It was the third time since 2021 that Australia have refused to play Afghanistan outside of international tournaments.

They also face Afghanistan in their opening T20 World Cup match in the West Indies in June.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board has so far said nothing about the Test match against the Kiwis.

sa/mud