Top 10 Cricket Stadiums in Pakistan: A Comprehensive List

Pakistan is one of the leading cricket nations in the world. Since its introduction to international cricket, the nation has produced some world-class cricketers who have showcased their skills and proved their mettle in front of the global audience. The nation has hosted numerous cricket matches across formats over the years. There are 21 stadiums in Pakistan which have hosted international cricket matches. Let’s have a look at the top international cricket venues in the country.

Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

The Gaddafi Stadium situated in Lahore has hosted the most number of international matches in Pakistan. The stadium first hosted a Test match between Pakistan and Australia when back in 1959. The match was played on turf pitches with Australia winning it by 7 wickets and becoming the first nation to win a Test series in Pakistan. The stadium hosted its first ODI in 1978 with Pakistan playing hosts to England. The stadium played host to the 1996 World Cup final which was attended by almost 60,000 people. Currently, the stadium has a sitting capacity of 27,000.

National Stadium, Karachi

The city with the highest population in Pakistan, Karachi is also the largest city in the nation. The National Stadium in Karachi is one of the biggest stadiums in the country with a capacity of 34,238 spectators. The ground was inaugurated in 1955 with a Test match played between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. 

The host nation has only lost 2 Tests at this venue: against England in 2000 and then against South Africa in 2007. Pakistan hosted West Indies in 1980 playing the first ever ODI on this venue. National Stadium also hosted six World Cup games with 3 games each played in 1987 and the 1996 edition. Viv Richards hit 181 against Sri Lanka in the 1986 edition helping West Indies post the highest World Cup score of that time. The stadium hosted its first T20 international in 2008 when Pakistan took on Bangladesh.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

The stadium became the 14th venue to host Test cricket in Pakistan. Pakistan hosted Sri Lanka in an ODI in early 1992 before the 2nd Test against Zimbabwe was played here in December 1993. Zimbabwe also became the first visiting country to play T20I on this venue in 2020. With a capacity of 15,000, the Rawalpindi stadium hosted 3 matches in the 1996 World Cup as the home ground for South Africa which won all 3 games in convincing fashion. During India’s 2004 tour to Pakistan, it played host to the final Test match where Rahul Dravid scored 270, his highest in the format taking India to a famous 2-1 win.

Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

Iqbal Stadium hosted its first Test match in 1978 played between India and Pakistan when Kapil Dev made his debut in Test matches. In 1984, the first-ever ODI was played at the venue with New Zealand as the visiting side. The venue is infamous for the altercation between former England captain Mike Gatting and Pakistani umpire Shakoor Rana. The umpire was infamous amongst all visiting teams for some decisions he made on the field. In this event, he accused Gatting of cheating as he was trying to move a fielder while the bowler started his run-up. Gatting instead told Rana that he was asking the fielder to not move. A verbal spat erupted that affected cricketing ties between the 2 teams.

Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar

Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar has hosted 21 international matches. A Pakistan and India ODI is supposed to be the maiden contest to be played here which was abandoned. 10 days later from the scheduled game, the stadium finally had its first international fixture with Pakistan hosting New Zealand in their one-day series opener. The stadium had to wait for more than 10 years to stage its first Test match. In 1995, the Sri Lankan team played the first match of the series on this ground. The final international match played at this venue saw Sachin Tendulkar score his 39th ODI ton and the famous Inzamam-ul-Haq obstructing the field dismissal in a thrilling match won by Pakistan.

Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan

The Multan Cricket Stadium hosted its first international game in 2001 when Bangladesh visited to play the Asian Test Championship. Two years later, Bangladesh faced Pakistan in the first-ever ODI match played at the venue. With a capacity of 35,000 viewers, it is one of the biggest stadiums in Pakistan. In 2004, the stadium hosted the series opener to India’s iconic tour to Pakistan where Virender Sehwag created history scoring 309 off 375 deliveries taking India to a huge win by an innings and 52 runs. The knock gave Sehwag the nickname ‘Sultan of Multan’. 

Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot

Established back in 1920, the Jinnah Stadium also known as Jinnah Park has a sitting capacity of 18,000. It is one of the oldest cricket grounds in the country and was formerly known as Connelly Park. The ground has a rich history related to it as Pakistan hosted their first ever one-day international at home at this very venue back in 1976 versus New Zealand. The Sri Lankan team played Pakistan at this venue hosting its first Test in 1985. The stadium also served as one of the venues of India’s tour in 1989, the same series in which Sachin Tendulkar made his Test debut.

Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad

The stadium hosted its first Test match in 1973 when England led by Tony Lewis played a draw against hosts Pakistan. The host side featured in all 12 matches played at this venue across two formats and never lost a single game. 2 Tests finished in draws, both against England in 1973 and 1978 respectively. In 1984, New Zealand and Pakistan played the 1000th Test match at this very ground. Javed Miandad scored twin centuries taking the hosts to a 7-wicket win. The stadium hosted a World cup fixture as well with Miandad scoring another ton at this venue against Sri Lanka in the 1987 edition.

Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala

With a capacity of 20,000, the Jinnah Stadium in Gujranwala was established in 1958 and hosted its first-ever ODI in 1982 played between Pakistan and India. The stadium hosted the thrilling encounter between West Indies and England during the 1987 World Cup and also the one-sided fixture between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates in the 1996 edition of the tournament. The only Test match played on this surface was back in 1991, a drawn affair between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. One of the finest umpires of this generation Aleem Dar made his umpiring debut on this very ground in 2000.