New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said the biggest disappointment was missing out on game after a six-month break in Test cricket as their match against Afghanistan was washed out without a ball being bowled in Greater Noida. New Zealand wanted this game as preparation for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka and India. However, due to unrelenting rain and problems with the Greater Noida field, the Test series between the two sides was abandoned. Stead said at the post-match press conference, "The most disappointing part for us is that we lost the opportunity to be match-hardened and match-ready when we go into our Test match [against Sri Lanka] next week," "The guys are really disappointed. It was an opportunity to play Afghanistan. It doesn't come around that often. "They have some unique bowlers - it's always good to get your head around how you face them. The way they play is a little bit different to other countries. It's always learning what you can do when you get in those match situations." Stead explained that the team felt "frustrated" since this Test cricket was "very important" for them and thus is valued immensely despite the recent cancellation. "But we were frustrated. We have come here to play cricket and play a Test match and as Jonathan [Trott, Afghanistan head coach] said, Test cricket, certainly to our group of players that is here, that's very, very dear to their hearts and every Test you get to play in is a big one. "So regardless of whether it has World Test Championship points or not, that opportunity to get out there for five days, it looked a great surface. The whole block looked fantastic, so it would have been a great match of Test cricket." Also Read | WATCH: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Arrive in Chennai for India vs Bangladesh Test Series New Zealand cricket team is not scheduled to play any more Tests against Afghanistan in the near future. Stead is open for more Tests against them. He admires their recent successes in white-ball cricket, which included their surprise win over New Zealand in the 2024 T20 World Cup group stage. The fifth day of the Test was called off on Friday. There was no respite from rain in Greater Noida and the ground's drainage system played a zero role. The broadcast teams folded their tents and even the advertisements were pulled off much before an official announcement was made. New Zealand will travel to Sri Lanka, while Afghanistan travel to the UAE where they will face South Africa for a three-match ODI series in Sharjah where the rain and drainage won't be an issue. Also Read | Glenn Maxwell Excited for Kohli-Smith Showdown in Border-Gavaskar Series