Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Panoramic view of the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Coordinates	33°39′5″N73°4′34″E / 33.65139°N 73.07611°E / 33.65139; 73.07611
Public transit	Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Owner	Pakistan Cricket Board
Operator	Pakistan Cricket Board
Capacity	20,000
Pindi Cricket Stadium
Ground information
Location	Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan
Establishment	1992;33 years ago (1992)
Tenants	Pakistan national cricket team Northern cricket team Islamabad United
End names
Pavilion End Shell End
International information
First Test	9–14 December 1993:   Pakistan v   Zimbabwe
Last Test	24–28 October 2024:   Pakistan v   England
First ODI	19 January 1992:   Pakistan v   Sri Lanka
Last ODI	29 April 2023:   Pakistan v   New Zealand
First T20I	7 November 2020:   Pakistan v   Zimbabwe
Last T20I	21 April 2024:   Pakistan v   New Zealand
As of 24 October 2024 Source: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Cricinfo

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is a cricket stadium located in Rawalpindi, Punjab province of Pakistan. It is located close to Pir Meher Ali Shah University and Rawalpindi Arts Council and has an estimated capacity of 20,000. ^[1] The first international match at the stadium was played on 19 January 1992, when Sri Lanka faced Pakistan in an ODI. ^[2] The stadium hosted its first Test match in 1993, when Zimbabwe toured Pakistan. ^[3]

Test cricket returned to Pakistan at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium during the 2019 two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The first test match was held from 11–15 December 2019 in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

History

Pindi Cricket Stadium during 2020 Pakistan Super League

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium was established in 1992 and replaced Pindi Club Ground

Media building

as an international stadium. ^{[4] [5]} It is the home ground of Islamabad United and Northern cricket team. ^[4] Before the construction of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Club Cricket Ground had been used as a venue for international matches, including one Test match against New Zealand that was held in March 1965. ^[6]

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium was a prime spot in the 1995–96 Cricket World Cup. With an eye on the that World Cup, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled a new Test venue for the second Test against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi, becoming the country's 14th Test ground. The floodlights were added in late 2001 when the Australians were set to tour the region. The stadium is just 20 minutes from the capital Islamabad and is the only international cricket stadium in the Islamabad Capital territory.

This stadium was the home ground and international debut ground of the world's fastest bowler Shoaib Akhtar who is nicknamed the Rawalpindi Express.

In the 2nd ODI of 2004 Samsung ODI series, while other Indian batters are getting struggling with the pace and spin attack of Pakistan, Sachin Tendulkar played a courageous knock of 141 (135) in this ground.

in 2024-2025, Renovation efforts were to increase the capacity of the stadium of the upcoming CT 2025. The renovations included adding seats, new floodlights, new hospitality boxes and repainting the whole stadium. It increased the capacity from 15,000 to 18,000. ^[1]

Return of international cricket

In April 2018, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the venue, along with several others in the country, would get a makeover to get them ready for future international matches and fixtures in the Pakistan Super League. ^[7]

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test match

In October 2019, the PCB proposed hosting the two Test matches in Pakistan, instead of the UAE, at venues in Rawalpindi and Karachi. ^[8] Sri Lanka Cricket said that they were "very positive" with regards to the progress of playing Test cricket in Pakistan. ^[9] In November 2019, the PCB confirmed the dates and venues for the Test series, with the first test match taking place in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 11 to 15 December. ^[10] It was the first test match played at this venue after 15 years and first International match after 13 years. ^[11]

2024–25 renovation

In preparation for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) renovates the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to meet international standards. Initially budgeted at PKR 1.5 billion, costs rose to PKR 18 billion due to additional upgrades across multiple venues like Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore and National Stadium, Karachi. ^[12] The refurbishment includes an upgraded main pavilion and media boxes, new seating, 350 LED floodlights, and improved hospitality boxes. Despite concerns about delays, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has assured timely completion. The stadium will host three group-stage matches, featuring teams like Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. ^{[13] [14]}

Cricket World Cup

This Stadium hosted three ODI matches during the 1996 Cricket World Cup.

1996 Cricket World Cup

16 February 1996 Scorecard

South Africa   321/2 (50 overs)	v	United Arab Emirates 152/8 (50 overs)
Gary Kirsten 188* (159) Johanne Samarasekera 1/39 (9 overs)		Arshad Laeeq 43 (79) Brian McMillan 3/11 (8 overs)

South Africa won by 169 runs Umpires: Steve Bucknor and V. K. Ramaswamy Player of the match: Gary Kirsten (SA)

---

25 February 1996 Scorecard

South Africa   230 (50 overs)	v	England 152 (44.3 overs)
Gary Kirsten 38 (60) Peter Martin 3/33 (10 overs)		Graham Thorpe 46 (69) Shaun Pollock 2/16 (8 overs)

South Africa won by 78 runs Umpires: Steve Randell and Ian Robinson Player of the match: Jonty Rhodes (SA)

---

5 March 1996 Scorecard

South Africa   328/3 (50 overs)	v	Netherlands 168/8 (50 overs)
Andrew Hudson 161 (132) Eric Gouka 1/32 (2 overs)		Nolan Clarke 32 (46) Allan Donald 2/21 (6 overs)

South Africa won by 160 runs Umpires: Khizer Hayat and Steve Randell Player of the match: Andrew Hudson (SA)

Records

• First Test: Dec 9–14, 1993 – Pakistan v Zimbabwe
• First ODI: 19 Jan 1992 – Pakistan v Sri Lanka.
• First T20I: 7 Jan 2020 – Pakistan v Zimbabwe.

Tests

Record	Runs	Team/player	Opposition	Date
Highest team total	657	England	Pakistan	1 December 2022
Lowest team total	139/10	West Indies	Pakistan	29 November 1997
Highest individual score	270	Rahul Dravid	Pakistan	13 April 2004
Highest partnership	323	Aamer Sohail & Inzamam-ul-Haq	West Indies	29 November 1997

One Day Internationals

Record	Runs	Team/player	Opposition	Date
Highest team total	337/3	Pakistan	New Zealand	29 April 2023
Lowest team total	104/10	Zimbabwe	Sri Lanka	29 November 1997
Highest individual score	188*	Gary Kirsten	United Arab Emirates	16 February 1996
Highest partnership	204	Saleem Malik & Inzamam-ul-Haq	Sri Lanka	19 November 1992

T20 Internationals

Record	Runs	Team/player	Opposition	Date
Highest team total	194/4	New Zealand	Pakistan	24 April 2023
Lowest team total	90	New Zealand	Pakistan	12 April 2024
Highest individual score	104	Mark Chapman	Pakistan	24 April 2023
Highest partnership	121*	Mark Chapman & James Neesham	Pakistan	24 April 2023

List of five wicket hauls

Key

Symbol	Meaning
Date	Day the Test started or ODI was held
Inn	Innings in which five-wicket haul was taken
Overs	Number of overs bowled.
Runs	Number of runs conceded
Wkts	Number of wickets taken
Econ	Runs conceded per over
Drawn	The match was drawn.

Tests

Nineteen five-wicket hauls have been taken in Test matches at the ground. ^[15]

No.	Bowler	Date	Team	Opposing team	Inn	Overs	Runs	Wkts	Econ	Result
1	Waqar Younis	9 December 1993	Pakistan	Zimbabwe	2	19	88	5	4.63	Pakistan won
2	Heath Streak	9 December 1993	Zimbabwe	Pakistan	3	20.3	56	5	2.73	Pakistan won
3	Wasim Akram	9 December 1993	Pakistan	Zimbabwe	4	23.2	65	5	2.78	Pakistan won
4	Mushtaq Ahmed	28 November 1996	Pakistan	New Zealand	1	30	87	6	2.90	Pakistan won
5	Chris Cairns	28 November 1996	New Zealand	Pakistan	2	30.4	137	5	4.46	Pakistan won
6	Mohammad Zahid	28 November 1996	Pakistan	New Zealand	3	20	66	7	3.30	Pakistan won
7	Saqlain Mushtaq	6 October 1997	Pakistan	South Africa	2	62	129	5	2.08	Drawn
8	Courtney Walsh	29 November 1997	West Indies	Pakistan	2	43.1	143	5	3.31	Pakistan won
9	Stuart MacGill	1 October 1998	Australia	Pakistan	1	22	86	5	3.00	Australia won
10	Anrich Nortje	4 February 2021	South Africa	Pakistan	1	24.3	56	5	2.28	Pakistan won
11	Hasan Ali	4 February 2021	Pakistan	South Africa	2	15.4	54	5	3.45	Pakistan won
12	George Linde	4 February 2021	South Africa	Pakistan	3	26	64	5	2.46	Pakistan won
13	Hasan Ali	4 February 2021	Pakistan	South Africa	4	16	60	5	3.75	Pakistan won
14	Noman Ali	4 March 2022	Pakistan	Australia	2	38.1	107	6	2.80	Drawn
15	Will Jacks	1 December 2022	England	Pakistan	2	40.3	161	6	3.97	England won
16	Mehidy Hasan Miraz	30 August 2024	Bangladesh	Pakistan	1	22.1	61	5	2.75	Bangladesh won
17	Khurram Shahzad	30 August 2024	Pakistan	Bangladesh	2	21	90	6	4.28	Bangladesh won
18	Hasan Mahmud	30 August 2024	Bangladesh	Pakistan	3	10.4	43	5	4.03	Bangladesh won
19	Sajid Khan	24 October 2024	Pakistan	England	1	29.2	128	6	4.36	Pakistan won
20	Noman Ali	24 October 2024	Pakistan	England	3	18.2	42	6	2.29	Pakistan won

One Day Internationals

Five five-wicket hauls have been taken in One Day Internationals at the ground. ^[16]

No.	Bowler	Date	Team	Opposing team	Inn	Overs	Runs	Wkts	Econ	Result
1	Saqlain Mushtaq	30 October 2000	Pakistan	England	1	8	20	5	2.50	Pakistan won
2	Shaheen Afridi	30 October 2020	Pakistan	Zimbabwe	2	10	49	5	4.90	Pakistan won
3	Iftikhar Ahmed	1 November 2020	Pakistan	Zimbabwe	1	10	40	5	4.00	Pakistan won
4	Mohammad Hasnain	3 November 2020	Pakistan	Zimbabwe	1	10	26	5	2.60	Tied
5	Blessing Muzarabani	3 November 2020	Zimbabwe	Pakistan	2	10	49	5	4.90	Tied

See also

• List of stadiums in Pakistan
• List of cricket grounds in Pakistan
• List of sports venues in Karachi
• List of sports venues in Lahore
• List of sports venues in Faisalabad
• Pakistan Cricket Board
• List of Test cricket grounds

References

1. "Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium". championstrophy2025.com. 16 January 2025. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
2. "Full Scorecard of Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 5th ODI 1991/92 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
3. "Full Scorecard of Pakistan vs Zimbabwe 2nd Test 1993/94 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
4. "Documentary: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium". Radio Pakistan .
5. "Pakistan ground guide: Rawalpindi". BBC News . 25 October 2005. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
6. "Full Scorecard of New Zealand vs Pakistan 1st Test 1964/65 - Score Report". ESPNcricinfo.com. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
7. "Pakistan plans makeover for stadiums". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
8. "PCB propose Rawalpindi and Karachi as venues for Sri Lanka Test series". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
9. "SLC 'very positive' about touring Pakistan in December". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
10. "Pakistan to play Sri Lanka Tests in front of home crowds". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
11. "Pakistan pacers shine as Tests come home, but Sri Lanka hold steady". ICC Cricket.com. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
12. Yaqoob, Mohammad (13 February 2025). "Venues' upgrade cost increase forces PCB to seek overdraft". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
13. "Renovation of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium nears completion ahead of ICC Champions trophy". Arab News. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
14. Express, Tribune (11 January 2025). "ICC delegation to assess Rawalpindi stadium for Champions Trophy 2025". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 19 February 2025.
15. "Statistics - Statsguru - Test Matches - Bowling Records". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
16. "Statistics - Statsguru - One-Day Internationals - Bowling Records". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 31 August 2019.

External links

• CricketArchive Profile
• Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium at ESPNcricinfo