Cricket Stadiums in Pakistan: A Guide to the Top Grounds for Cricket Enthusiasts
Are you a cricket enthusiast looking to explore the top cricket stadiums in Pakistan? You’re in for a treat! Pakistan is known for its rich cricket history and passionate cricket fans. The country boasts some of the best cricket stadiums in the world, each with its unique charm and unforgettable moments.
Join us on a journey through the 10 best cricket stadiums in Pakistan, where we’ll take you on a trip down memory lane, highlighting their names, locations, areas, capacities, histories, and some of the top performances that have graced these iconic grounds. From the largest cricket stadiums in Pakistan to the oldest cricket grounds in Karachi, we’ve got you covered.
Get ready to relive some of the most historic moments in Pakistan cricket, from Pakistan’s first-ever Test win against Australia to Misbah-ul-Haq’s century against England. And who can forget Imran Nazir’s blistering century against Zimbabwe or the high-scoring ODIs in the early 2000s? So sit back, relax, and get ready to explore the best cricket stadiums in Pakistan. Whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan or just looking for a fun read, this blog is for you. Let’s dive in and relive some of the most unforgettable moments in Pakistani cricket history.
1. National Stadium, Karachi:
- Location: National Stadium Colony, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, Sindh
- Area: 35 acres
- Capacity: 34,228
- Established: 1955
History and significance of the National Stadium
The National Stadium in Karachi is one of the oldest and largest cricket stadiums in Pakistan. It has been a witness to many historic encounters and played a significant role in the rise of cricket in the country. The stadium is home to the Karachi Kings in the PSL.
Number of Matches Played Here:
The National Stadium has hosted over 47 Tests, 54 ODIs, 11 T20Is, and 62 PSL matches.
Top Performance Matches:
- Pakistan’s first-ever Test win against Australia in 1956.
- Memorable Test matches against India in the 2000s.
Memorable Matches
- 1955: The first-class match between Pakistan and India
- 1980: On November 21, Pakistan played against the West Indies at the stadium.
- 1987: World Cup final: Australia and England played in the stadium
- 1996: Cricket World Cup, which included six One Day International (ODI) matches
- 2008: Asia Cup final: India and Sri Lanka played in the 2008 Asia Cup in the stadium
- 2009: Pakistan’s test match against Sri Lanka, which included a team total of 765/6d
- 2022: England’s T20 international match against Pakistan, which included a team total of 221/3
- 2023: May 7, Pakistan plays against New Zealand at the stadium
2. Gaddafi Stadium
- Location: Pakistan Cricket Board, Hafeez Kardar Rd., Block E-2 Gulberg III, Lahore, Punjab
- Area: 67 acres
- Capacity: 27,000
- Established: 1959
History and significance of the Gaddafi Stadium
Gaddafi Stadium, named after former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, is the second-largest cricket stadiums in Pakistan. With a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1959, this iconic ground has hosted numerous international matches and remains the hub of cricketing activities in Lahore. It is the home ground for the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Number of Matches Played Here:
Gaddafi Stadium has hosted over 41 Test, 67 ODI, 21 T20Is, and 50 PSL matches
Top Performance Matches:
- Pakistan’s historic win against India in 1955.
- First-ever T20 International in 2006.
Memorable Matches
- 1976: Javed Miandad and Asif Iqbal achieved a fifth-wicket partnership of 281 runs against New Zealand.
- 1989: The highest team total of 699 runs against India was achieved by Pakistan
- 2002: Pakistan secured a victory by an innings and 324 runs against New Zealand, with Inzamam-ul-Haq scoring a record-breaking 329 runs at the stadium
- 2017: Pakistan scored 144/9 against Sri Lanka
- 2020: Pakistan’s Twenty20 cricket league was suspended on March 17
- 2022: Pakistan scored 145 runs against Sri Lanka in a T20I match.
3. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi:
- Location: Stadium Rd, Shamsabad, Rawalpindi, Punjab
- Area: 5.2 acres
- Capacity: 28,000
- Established: 1992
History and significance of the Rawalpindi Stadium
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium was inaugurated in 1992 and quickly became a significant cricketing venue. It is known for its passionate cricket atmosphere and has played a crucial role in hosting international matches.
Number of Matches Played Here:
The stadium has hosted over 10 Test matches, 26 ODIs, 189 T20Is, and 19 matches in the Pakistan Super League.
Top Performance Matches:
- Imran Nazir’s blistering century against Zimbabwe in 2003.
- High-scoring ODIs in the early 2000s.
Memorable Matches
- 1992: ODI matches Pakistan’s first ODI match was against Sri Lanka on January 19.
- 1993: Pakistan’s first test match was against Zimbabwe from December 9–14.
- 1996: Cricket World CupThe stadium hosted three ODI matches
- 2020: T20I matches Pakistan’s first T20I match was against Zimbabwe on November 7
- 2022: The last test match was against England from December 1–5.
- 2023: The last ODI match was against New Zealand on April 29.
4. Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan:
- Location: Stadium Road &, Vehari Road, Gulshane Yousaf, Multan
- Area: 200 acres
- Capacity: 35,000
- Established: 2001
History and significance of the Multan Stadium
The Multan Cricket Stadium, established in 2001, has become an integral part of Pakistan’s cricketing landscape. It is a favorite among cricket enthusiasts in Multan and has witnessed some memorable moments of cricket stadiums in Pakistan
Number of Matches Played Here:
The stadium has hosted over 6 Test matches, 11 ODIs, 13 PSL matches and 88 T20 internationals.
Top Performance Matches:
- Inaugural Test match against Bangladesh in 2001.
- Memorable ODIs against India in the early 2000s.
Memorable Matches
- 2003: First One Day InternationalOn September 9, Pakistan hosted Bangladesh in the first One Day International match at the stadium
- 2006: First day/night game On February 16, India hosted Pakistan in the first day/night game at the stadium
- Umar Akmal scored 115* for Lahore Whites in the first T20 match at the stadium, which is still the record
- Mohammad Rizwan scored 110* for Multan Sultans against Karachi Kings in the 2023 Pakistan Super League
5. Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad:
- Location: New Civil Lines, Faisalabad, Punjab
- Area: 18 acres
- Capacity: 18,000
- Established: 1979
History and significance of the Iqbal Stadium
The Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad holds a special place in the hearts of cricket fans. Established in 1979, it has been a consistent venue for domestic and international cricket and witnessed some thrilling encounters over the years.
Number of Matches Played Here:
Iqbal Stadium has hosted over 24 Test matches and 16 One-Day Internationals
Top Performance Matches:
- Memorable Test matches against the West Indies and England in the 1980s.
- High-scoring ODIs in the 2000s.
Memorable Matches
- 1984: Pakistan scores 674/6 innings against India in this match.
- 1987–88 tour: Mike Gatting and Shakoor Rana clash during England’s 1987–88 tour, resulting in a lost day and long-term bad feelings between the teams.
- 1990: Waqar Younis’ 12 for 130 is considered the best bowling match figure ever at Iqbal Stadium.
- 2013: Brendon McCullum helps Otago defeat Faisalabad in a CLT20 match
6. Niaz Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
- Location: Hyderabad, Pakistan
- Area: 5.3826°N 68.3381°E
- Capacity: 7000
- Established: 1959
History and significance of the Niaz Cricket Stadium
The stadium in Hyderabad was built by Niaz Ahmed, the former commissioner, in 1961 and was subsequently named in his honor. Its inaugural first-class match took place in 1962, followed by its first test match in 1973. Over the years, the stadium has also been a venue for national football championships and numerous hockey matches.
Number of Matches Played Here:
Niaz Stadium is the only international Test stadium in Sindh outside of Karachi. It has hosted five Tests, two each against England and New Zealand, and one against India.
Top Performance Matches:
- 1982 – 1983: The Niaz Stadium witnessed Pakistan’s Jalal-ud-Din achieving the first-ever hat-trick in One Day Internationals during Australia.
- Jalal-ud-Din dismissed Rod Marsh, Bruce Yardley, and Geoff Lawson with consecutive deliveries in his seventh over.
- Notably, in this stadium, Pakistan has maintained an unbeaten record at this ground in both Tests and One Day Internationals.
7. Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar:
- Location: Circular Road, Peshawar
- Area: 12 acres
- Capacity: 20,000
- Established: 1984
History and significance of the Arab Niaz Stadium
Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar has witnessed some remarkable moments in Pakistani cricket. Established in 1984, the stadium has played a crucial role in promoting the sport in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.
Number of Matches Played Here:
The stadium has hosted over 15 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 6 Test matches.
Top Performance Matches:
- Javed Miandad’s double century against India in 1985.
- Exciting T20 matches in recent years.
Memorable Matches
- 1983: 14 January, Pakistan’s 581/3d test total against India, and Javed Miandad’s 280 runs individual score
- 1998: A match against Pakistan on 15th October
- 2003: A match against Bangladesh on 27th August
8. Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot:
- Location: Jinnah Park Colony No. 1, Sialkot, Punjab
- Area: 8 acres
- Capacity: 20000
- Established: 2006
History and significance of the Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot
The addition of the Jinnah Stadium in Sialkot enhances Pakistan’s portfolio of cricket venues, offering convenient access for residents of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and northern regions. Initially known as Connelly Park, this stadium was constructed by the British in the 1920s and went through multiple rebrandings before being officially named the Jinnah Stadium in 1979, paying tribute to Pakistan’s founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Number of Matches Played Here:
- 1982 Pakistan won against India, Javed Mian’s dad scored 106 runs
- 1996: Pakistan won against New Zealand and Saqlain Mushtaq’s five-wicket haul was taken at Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala
Top Performance Matches:
- Javed Miandad’s double century against India in 1985.
- Exciting T20 matches in recent years.
Memorable Matches
- 1982: 106 runs scored by Javed Miandad
- 1982 :102 runs by Arjuna Ranatunga in 1982
- 1996: One five-wicket haul by Saqlain Mushtaq
8. Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, Abbottabad:
- Location: PCB Cricket Ground Rd, Nawan Shehr Town, Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Area: 4000 square feet altitude
- Capacity: 4,000
- Established: 2003
History and significance of the Abbottabad Stadium
Abbottabad Cricket Stadium, established in 2003, is a relatively new addition to Pakistan’s cricketing infrastructure. The stadium is located at an elevation of 8,400 feet above sea level, making it the highest natural cricket stadium in the world and one of the highest-elevation cricket stadiums in Pakistan
Number of Matches Played Here:
The stadium has hosted over 53 first-class matches and 14 List-A games. All of these matches have been Quaid-e-Azam Trophy or Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Silver League fixtures.
Top Performance Matches:
- 2023- 2024: Abbottabad vs Karachi Whites, Match 63 National final T20 match was played.
Memorable Matches
- 2019: The Pakistan Cricket Board named the stadium as one of the venues to host matches in this tournament.
9. Ayub National Stadium, Quetta
- Location: Hudda, Quetta, Balochistan
- Area: has an elevation of 1,663 meters.
- Capacity: 20,000
History and significance of the Ayub National Stadium
The Ayub National Stadium, situated in Quetta, Pakistan, is a versatile venue that caters to cricket and football events. With a seating capacity of 20,000, it is positioned adjacent to the Ayub Football Stadium, which can accommodate 10,000 spectators. Formerly recognized as the Baluchistan Cricket Association Ground.
Top Performance Matches:
- 1978: The stadium has hosted ODI cricket matches, one in 1978, Pakistan against India.
- 1984: The stadium again hosted ODI Pakistan against India.
10. Gwaddar Cricket Stadium:
- Location: PCB Cricket Ground Rd, Nawan Shehr Town, Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Area: 137 meters and 150 meters long.
- Capacity: 10000
- Established: Construction started in 1998, and was inaugurated in 2020
History and significance of the Gwaddar Stadium
The Gwadar Cricket Stadium in Pakistan is known for its stunning design and beauty, recognized as the world’s most beautiful stadium by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis. Its unique setting with rugged mountains as a backdrop to the green field sets it apart. Inaugurated in November 2020, it has a large seating capacity for international matches. ICC has praised the stadium for its beauty and size.
In conclusion, cricket stadiums in Pakistan are not just grounds for sporting events; they are historical landmarks that have witnessed some of the most epic moments in cricket history. The passion and love for the sport in Pakistan can be felt in every match played at these iconic venues. Whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan or just someone looking to experience the thrill of a live match, visiting these cricket stadiums in Pakistan will surely leave you with unforgettable memories.