The Gaddafi Stadium is one of the most iconic cricket grounds located in the historical city of Lahore, Pakistan.
Previously known as Lahore Stadium, the Gaddafi Stadium was established in 1959 and designed by architect and civil engineer Nasreddin Murat-Khan. The construction of the Lahore cricket stadium was completed by Mian Abdul Khaliq and Company.
Owned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Gaddafi Stadium is Pakistan’s fourth largest cricket stadium and currently has a seating capacity of 27,000.
Interestingly, the headquarters of the PCB is situated at Gaddafi Stadium. It is the home ground of the Pakistan national cricket team, Central Punjab cricket team and PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars.
It first staged a Test match between hosts Pakistan and Australia in 1959. In 1978, the Gaddafi Stadium hosted its first ODI played between Pakistan and England. Pakistan won the match by 36 runs. Since then, it has staged more than 50 ODIs so far.
Let’s have a look at Gaddafi Stadium ODI records and stats:
Gaddafi Stadium ODI records and stats
Highest team total
The Pakistan cricket team holds the record for the highest team total at the Gaddafi Stadium in ODI cricket. During the first ODI of the Zimbabwe tour of Pakistan in 2015, the hosts posted a mammoth total of 375/3 in their 50 overs. Shoaib Malik (112), Haris Sohail (89 not out), Azhar Ali (79) and Mohammad Hafeez (86) powered Pakistan to a huge total. In reply, Zimbabwe managed 334/5 but fell short by 41 runs in Lahore. Pakistan won the three-match ODI series 2-0.
Lowest team total
Pakistan also have the record for the lowest team total at the Gaddafi Stadium in the ODI format. Chasing 310, the hosts were bundled out for 75 in 22.5 overs during the third ODI of the Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan in 2009. Umar Gul top-scored for Pakistan with 27. For Sri Lanka, Nuwan Kulasekara and Thilan Thushara bagged three wickets each. Earlier, Tillakaratne Dilshan’s 137 and Kumar Sangakkara’s fifty helped Sri Lanka score 309/5 in their 50 overs. Sri Lanka won the match by 234 runs and the three-match ODI series 2-1.
Most runs
Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik holds the record for the most runs at this venue in ODI cricket. Between 2002 and 2015, the stylish right-hander accumulated 1,030 runs in 23 matches at an average of 54.21 and a strike rate of 96.26. He slammed three hundreds and six fifties in the 50-over format at this iconic ground. Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf is second on the list with 946 runs in 22 matches.
Most wickets
Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram picked up the most wickets at the Gaddafi Stadium in ODI cricket between 1985 and 2000. The former left-arm pacer bagged 23 wickets in 18 ODIs at an average of 27 and an economy of 4.43. He registered best bowling figures of 4/33 on this ground in the ODI format. Compatriot Mohammad Sami features second on the list with 19 wickets in 13 ODIs.
Highest individual score
Former Pakistan cricketer Ijaz Ahmed holds the record for the highest individual score at this venue in the ODI format. During the third ODI of India’s tour of Pakistan in 1997, Ijaz Ahmed scored a match-winning knock of 139* off just 84 balls against India while chasing 217 in Lahore. Ijaz’s incredible innings was laced with 10 fours and nine sixes, guiding Pakistan to an emphatic nine-wicket win. Earlier, Pakistan bowled out India for 216 in 49.2 overs. Pakistan won the series 2-1.
Best bowling figures
Former South African all-rounder Lance Klusener has the best bowling figures at the Gaddafi Stadium in ODI cricket. The right-arm medium-pacer registered impressive figures of 6 for 49 against Sri Lanka during a Quadrangular tournament in 1997. Klusener’s match-winning spell helped South Africa restrict Sri Lanka for 245/9 in the hosts’ chase of 312. Earlier, South Africa rode on fifties from Gary Kirsten (50), Lance Klusener (54) and captain Hansie Cronje (50) to guide the visitors to 311/9 in their allotted 50 overs.
Highest partnership
Former Sri Lankan duo of Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva hold the record for the highest partnership at the Gaddafi Stadium in the ODI format. Chasing 281, Jayasuriya and de Silva forged an unbeaten 213-run stand for the third wicket to power Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket win during the fifth match of a Quadrangular tournament in 1997. Jayasuriya remained unbeaten on 134 and de Silva was 102 not out.
Photo credit: Alamy
