Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi Pitch Report
The Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi was established in May 2004. Built by Concor Holdings, a South African construction and mining services company, Zayed Cricket Stadium is the second cricket stadium to be constructed after Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The stadium is a 30-minute drive away from the city center and is situated in a remote area surrounded by a barren desert landscape. It has reportedly cost over $20 million to construct the stadium. Also regarded as one of the finest cricketing stadiums in the world, Sheikh Zayed Stadium is equipped with a seating capacity of 20,000 spectators.
It is also by far, the largest operating cricket stadium in the whole of UAE. Two massive grandstands are installed at either end of the ground while square of the wicket, the stadium offers open spaces in the large grass banks for spectators to sit. However, such a setup may not be all that ideal when the heat waves intensify during the day. Nevertheless, this state-of-the-art cricket stadium is packed with a plethora of indoor facilities such as a gymnasium, swimming pool, tennis courts, and a restaurant.
Zayed Cricket Stadium has emerged as a major cricketing hub in recent years. The venue has been home to some iconic high-profile international fixtures and franchise cricket. Previously a handful of matches from the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup edition were held at this venue. Also known as Pakistan Cricket’s adopted home, this stadium has also hosted several matches of two PSL editions. Moreover, IPL, the most popular franchise league in cricket, made its way to this very venue in 2020 & 2021 during the Covid-hit era. In addition, the Abu Dhabi T10 league saw its rise from this venue as well in 2017 and to date has hosted all the matches of this popular tournament.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi At A Glance
Stadium Name |
Sheikh Zayed Stadium |
Place, Country |
Abu Dhabi, UAE |
Established |
2004 |
Stand Names |
North End, Pavilion End |
Seating Capacity |
20,000 |
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi Pitch Report
The pitch at Sheikh Zayed Stadium has a ting of grass covering which plays to the advantage of the seamers early on. Bowlers get the early advantage while bowling first but as the game progresses, the surface flattens out and batting gets a lot easier in the second half. We can expect to see a balanced contest between the bat and the ball. However, the spinners will have to toil hard and try to be accurate by keeping the stumps into play as they would not get any assistance.
The chasing side has traditionally been more successful than the team batting first in T20 cricket. Overall, the pitch favors the quicker bowlers and the batting side. The batters will need to apply themselves to see off the new ball and once they navigate through that difficult period, expect to see some big runs on the board. Hence, the toss will likely play a decisive role in determining the outcome and the winner of the game.
The straight and square boundary dimensions of this stadium range between 60-70 meters. The average first-innings T20I score in Men’s cricket is reported to be around 142 while in Women’s T20I cricket, the number comes down to just 115.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi Records
Women’s T20I Records
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Total Matches Played: 17
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Batting 1st Won: 10
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Batting 2nd Won: 7
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Average 1st Innings score: 115 runs
T20I Records
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Total Match Played: 64
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Batting 1st Won: 26
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Batting 2nd Won: 38
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Average 1st innings score: 142
ODI Records
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Total Match Played: 50
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Batting 1st Won: 32
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Batting 2nd Won: 18
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Average 1st Innings score: 251
FAQ's
What is the average score in T20I matches at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium?
The average 1st innings in T20I matches at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium varies from 135 to 155 runs for men’s cricket and 110 to 125 in ladies’ cricket.
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium Pitch Report, Abu Dhabi?
The pitch at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium generally offers a balanced contest between the bat and the ball at first. Bowlers have a slight edge in the first half but batting progressively gets easier during the second half of the game.
Recent Games played at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Upcoming Games on Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Date | Time (IST) | Teams | Match number | Format |
---|---|---|---|---|
21.11.2024 | 17:00 | Team Abu Dhabi vs Ajman Bolts | 1st Match | t10 |
21.11.2024 | 19:15 | Morrisville Samp Army vs Bangla Tigers | 2nd Match | t10 |
21.11.2024 | 21:30 | Deccan Gladiators vs The Chennai Braves | 3rd Match | t10 |
22.11.2024 | 14:45 | Northern Warriors vs Delhi Bulls | 4th Match | t10 |
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