Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi is the main venue for the Abu Dhabi T10 League, one of the fastest and most exciting cricket tournaments worldwide. Opened in 2004, it is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the UAE. Built for about 23 million USD, the stadium quickly rose to become one of the top cricket grounds in the region.
The stadium hosted its first first-class match and T20 International in 2004, and the first Test match in 2010. It played a major role in the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, hosting 14 matches including a semi-final. Besides international tournaments, it has also featured IPL matches in 2014 and 2020, and has been the home ground for Pakistan international matches since 2010.
Located in Khalifa City, the stadium seats 20,000 fans across two main stands: the North End and Pavilion End. Though it lacks a traditional pavilion, air-conditioned rooms offer players modern comforts. The complex also includes nursery grounds for international qualifiers and T20 Internationals, solidifying its place in UAE cricket history.
Stadium Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Sas Al Nakhl Area, Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Opened | 2004 |
| Capacity | 20,000 |
| Shortest Boundary | 65-67 meters (approx) |
| Longest Boundary | 70-72 meters (approx) |
| Bowling Ends | North End, Pavilion End |
| Flood Lights | Yes |
Pitch Report at Sheikh Zayed Stadium
The pitch at Sheikh Zayed Stadium has a firm surface, offering consistent bounce for batters. Batters find it easy to score runs, especially early on. However, as the ball gets softer and older, it can help spin bowlers because it starts to grip and turn more. Teams with more spinners can get an edge, especially in the later stages of the match.
Average Scores and Boundary Size
| Format | Average 1st Innings Score | Average 2nd Innings Score |
|---|---|---|
| T20I | 138 | 124 |
| ODI | 251 | 203 |
| Test | 360 | 341 (2nd), 274 (3rd), 136 (4th) |
- Straight Boundary: 70-72 meters
- Square Boundary: 65-67 meters
Weather Conditions at the Stadium
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Weather | Sunny, no rain |
| Temperature | 35-37°C |
| Humidity | 40-55% |
| Wind Speed | 16-20 kmph |
| Rain Probability | 0% |
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Sheikh Zayed Stadium Match Records (By Format)
Test Match Stats at Sheikh Zayed Stadium
| Matches Played | Bat 1st Won | Bat 2nd Won | Draws/NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 9 | 2 | 4 |
Test Records
| Record | Score/Result |
|---|---|
| Highest Total | 598/9 (ENG vs PAK) |
| Lowest Total | 72/10 (ENG vs PAK) |
ODI Match Stats at Sheikh Zayed Stadium
| Matches Played | Bat 1st Won | Bat 2nd Won | Draws/NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 38 | 19 | 0 |
ODI Records
| Record | Score/Result |
|---|---|
| Highest Total | 343/4 (RSA vs IRE) |
| Lowest Total | 63/10 (AFG vs SCO) |
T20I Match Stats at Sheikh Zayed Stadium
| Matches Played | Bat 1st Won | Bat 2nd Won | Draws/NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98 | 45 | 53 | 0 |
T20I Records
| Record | Score/Result |
|---|---|
| Highest Total | 225/7 (IRE vs AFG) |
| Lowest Total | 54/10 (USAW vs THAIW) |
| Highest Score Chased | 174/2 (RSA vs IRE) |
| Lowest Defended | 93/8 (THAIW vs PNGW) |
Abu Dhabi T10 League Records
Batting Leaders (Abu Dhabi T10)
| Player | Innings | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Highest Score | 4s | 6s | Dots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T Kohler-Cadmore | 50 | 1434 | 39.83 | 203.98 | 96 | 129 | 96 | 184 |
| N Pooran | 40 | 1075 | 33.59 | 225.84 | 89 | 86 | 91 | 151 |
| T Banton | 42 | 982 | 25.84 | 183.90 | 80 | 98 | 52 | 154 |
| R Powell | 39 | 976 | 34.86 | 209.89 | 76 | 53 | 66 | 126 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 39 | 930 | 27.35 | 195.36 | 70 | 75 | 70 | 170 |
Bowling Leaders (Abu Dhabi T10)
| Player | Innings | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy | Avg | SR | Best Bowl | 4W | 5W | Dots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naveen-ul-Haq | 33 | 65 | 655 | 33 | 10.08 | 19.85 | 11.82 | 3/7 | 0 | 0 | 156 |
| Qais Ahmad | 33 | 56.5 | 575 | 32 | 10.12 | 17.97 | 10.66 | 3/8 | 0 | 0 | 97 |
| Karim Janat | 36 | 62.3 | 620 | 29 | 9.92 | 21.38 | 12.93 | 3/9 | 0 | 0 | 127 |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 33 | 63.1 | 549 | 28 | 8.69 | 19.61 | 13.54 | 3/5 | 0 | 0 | 157 |
| AJ Hosein | 22 | 37 | 259 | 26 | 7.00 | 9.96 | 8.54 | 5/6 | 1 | 1 | 100 |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When was Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium opened and who is it named after?
The stadium opened in 2004 and is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the UAE.
2. What is the seating capacity of Sheikh Zayed Stadium?
It can hold up to 20,000 spectators.
3. Which major tournaments has the stadium hosted?
It hosted the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (14 matches including a semi-final), IPL matches in 2014 and 2020, and served as a home venue for Pakistan international matches since 2010.
4. What are the pitch and boundary characteristics?
The pitch offers consistent bounce favoring batters initially, with spinners benefiting as the ball ages. Boundaries range approximately from 65-67 meters (shortest) to 70-72 meters (longest).
5. What is the typical weather during matches?
It is usually sunny with temperatures between 35-37°C, moderate humidity of 40-55%, and virtually no rain.
6. Who are some standout batsmen and bowlers in the Abu Dhabi T10 League?
Top batsmen include T Kohler-Cadmore and N Pooran. Leading bowlers include Naveen-ul-Haq and Qais Ahmad.