Sharjah Cricket Stadium is one of the most beloved venues in UAE for international events and among cricket enthusiasts around the world.
The venue hosts many one-day international matches and was the site of the inaugural Asian Cup tournament.
Table of Contents
History
Sharjah Cricket Stadium was built in 1982, at a time when the UAE was emerging as a hub for cricket. The stadium was inaugurated by the then President of Pakistan, General Zia-ul-Haq, and was originally built to host matches involving Pakistan and India. The first-ever match played at the stadium was between Pakistan and India in April 1984.
Over the years, Sharjah Cricket Stadium has become a popular destination for international cricket teams. In the 1990s, it was the home ground of the Afghanistan national cricket team, which used the stadium for its home matches. In recent years, the stadium has also hosted matches involving other cricket-playing nations, including Australia, England, Sri Lanka, and West Indies.
Also Read: SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium: A Comprehensive Guide
Pakistan vs Afghanistan | 3rd T20I | Highlights | Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Sharjah Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
ODI Statistics
| Total Match Played | 232 |
| Batting First Won | 127 |
| Batting Second Won | 103 |
| Tie | 2 |
| Avg. Score in 1st bat | 226 |
| Highest Score | Pakistan 364/7 |
| Lowest Score | India 54/10 |
Scoring Pattern
| Below Score 200 | 76 |
| Score between 200 and 249 | 72 |
| Score between 250 and 299 | 69 |
| Above Score 300 | 15 |
T20I Statistics
| Total Match Played | 30 |
| Batting First Won | 16 |
| Batting Second Won | 13 |
| Tie | 1 |
| Avg. Score in 1st bat | 149 |
| Highest Score | Afghanistan 215/6 |
| Lowest Score | Hong Kong 38/10 |
Scoring Pattern
| Below Score 150 | 16 |
| Score between 150 and 169 | 5 |
| Score between 170 and 189 | 6 |
| Above Score 190 | 3 |
T20 Domestic
| Total Match Played | 66 |
| Batting First Won | 22 |
| Batting Second Won | 43 |
| Tie | 1 |
| Avg. Score in 1st bat | 155 |
| Highest Score | Delhi Capitals 228/4 |
| Lowest Score | Islamabad United 82/10 |
Scoring Pattern
| Below Score 150 | 33 |
| Score between 150 and 169 | 10 |
| Score between 170 and 189 | 13 |
| Above Score 190 | 10 |
Also Read: How to analyze cricket data?
Facilities
Sharjah Cricket Stadium has a seating capacity of 27,000 and is equipped with world-class facilities for players and spectators alike. The stadium has two main pavilions – the Pavilion End and the Sharjah Club End. The Pavilion End is known for its distinctive white and blue seats, while the Sharjah Club End has a more traditional design with red and green seats.
The stadium also has a state-of-the-art indoor practice facility and a well-equipped gymnasium for players. The pitch at Sharjah Cricket Stadium is known for its slow and low bounce, which makes it ideal for spinners.
Events
Sharjah Cricket Stadium has hosted numerous international cricket tournaments and matches over the years. One of the most famous events hosted at the stadium is the Sharjah Cup, a tri-nation ODI tournament featuring Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka. The tournament was first held in 1986 and continued to be played until 2000.
The stadium has also hosted several high-profile matches involving Pakistan and India, including the famous Austral-Asia Cup final in 1986, which saw Javed Miandad hit a last-ball six to win the match for Pakistan. Other notable matches played at the stadium include the Desert Storm ODI series between India and Australia in 1998, and the 2004 Champions Trophy.
The Pitch
Sharjah Cricket Stadium boasts one of the finest pitches in the world, making it a staple for all major tournaments and matches. Whether it’s a Test match, an ODI match, or a T20 contest, conditions at this ground are always ideal for batsmen – which is why so many people enjoy watching matches played here.
The pitch at this ground stands out due to its short boundaries. These boundaries provide batsmen with plenty of opportunities for scoring runs, which explains why this ground boasts such an impressive average run score.
Furthermore, this has been the reason why teams batting first have consistently come out on top in matches at this ground. The average first innings score here is 151.
On the contrary, second innings scores tend to be lower due to slower pitches that make hitting harder harder. Therefore, teams batting second must put in extra effort in order to secure victory in this situation.
Another feature that sets this pitch apart is the wide cracks at certain parts of the wicket that favor spin bowlers. Likewise, small patches of green grass on the surface provide assistance to pace bowlers.
Additionally, the warm winds from the Persian Gulf contribute to maintaining the pitch’s condition. This helps generate bounce and makes the ball grip harder – one of the reasons why this pitch proves so difficult for bowlers to attack.
This stadium’s pitch is one of the most versatile in the world. Its natural bounce, seam and spin variations depend on soil moisture content; making it simpler for groundsmen to maintain and keep it looking its best. Furthermore, this surface has greater rain-resistant capabilities than other pitches which means deterioration will occur slower.
The Boundaries
Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE is a destination where thousands of fans gather to support their favorite teams and enjoy the atmosphere. Over time, this cricket ground has become one of the most sought-after destinations for international matches as well as being an IPL dream destination for many.
This stadium is one of the most iconic in the world and has hosted 240 ODIs since it opened its doors in 1982. Additionally, it has hosted several national leagues from India and Pakistan, often associated with the Asian Cup.
Despite its modest starting capacity, the stadium has seen an incredible surge in popularity over time and is now one of the most visited cricket grounds in the region. The facility has undergone several upgrades and now holds a capacity of 17,000 spectators.
Some have criticized the pitch conditions at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, but its preparation team has been hard at work to guarantee it’s ready for competitive cricket matches. Head curator Mohammad Jameel hails from Sialkot, Pakistan and has been a cricket curator for over four decades.
Factors such as weather can significantly impact the condition of a cricket pitch in Dubai. With temperatures often rising into the 90s and dry spells, regular maintenance of your pitch is key to keeping it looking its best.
Another factor is humidity level. Dubai experiences high levels of humidity, which can impact the pitch and surface. Sharjah Cricket Stadium’s pitch in particular is particularly vulnerable to moisture damage which affects bounce and turn characteristics.
Due to its proximity to the Persian Gulf, the UAE experiences warm air throughout most of the day that makes for dusty and hard pitches. Thankfully, temperatures drop considerably at night when temperatures begin to drop significantly and particles start to settle back down onto the surfaces.
Team batting first can benefit as it allows them to form longer partnerships and gain an edge over teams chasing a target. Furthermore, teams that win the toss tend to bat first in most cases, giving them more opportunities for scoring runs on Sharjah Cricket Stadium’s pitch.
The Toss
Cricket fans seeking a place to watch matches will find Sharjah Cricket Stadium to be one of the best options. As one of the oldest grounds in UAE, it boasts batting-friendly conditions with short boundaries that make it easier for batsmen to score runs quickly.
Recently, Sharjah cricket stadium has seen some thrilling matches. This has made it a popular destination for thousands of fans from around the world.
The toss is an integral part of the game and winning it can mean the difference between a win and loss. By having an accurate forecast of what the pitch will look like ahead of time, you will be better equipped to make informed decisions ahead of time.
Teams which have won the toss typically opt to bat first on a surface that provides great batting conditions and little assistance for bowlers. However, the wicket may offer some movement off the pitch which could trouble batters; furthermore, it could offer a slower pace which could be beneficial to bowlers.
Another factor that may favor the batting side is the lower dew factor at this venue. This means they have more time to bat before it becomes too wet.
Though the dew may not directly impact the total, it will make it difficult for the bowlers to find movement off the pitch. Therefore, winning the toss at this venue and choosing to bat first is critical.
If the batting side wins the toss, they may look to set a high scoring total in order to gain an edge. This is especially true if they are playing their home games here.
At Sharjah Cricket Stadium, batting team will face an enormous test. They must attempt to break away from their formidable opponents. If they succeed, it could put them in great position for taking on defending champions UAE.
Conclusion
शारजाह क्रिकेट स्टेडियम केवल क्रिकेट मैचों के लिए एक स्थल नहीं है, बल्कि यह यूएई में क्रिकेट के विकास और विस्तार के प्रतीक भी है। यह स्टेडियम क्रिकेट इतिहास के कुछ सबसे यादगार मैचों की मेजबानी की है, और इसका अनूठा वातावरण यह फैन और खिलाड़ियों के बीच एक पसंदीदा बनाता है। विश्व-स्तरीय सुविधाओं और एक समृद्ध इतिहास के साथ, शारजाह क्रिकेट स्टेडियम आने वाले वर्षों में क्रिकेट के विश्व में एक प्रमुख स्थान बना रहेगा।