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.
In 2015, it staged its first T20 international match played between Pakistan and Zimbabwe. The hosts won the game by five wickets.
Since then, Gaddafi Stadium has hosted more than 40 T20 internationals so far. Let’s have a look at Gaddafi Stadium T20I records and stats:
Gaddafi Stadium T20I records and stats
Highest total
The England cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Gaddafi Stadium in T20 international cricket. During the seventh T20I of England tour of Pakistan in 2022, the Moeen Ali-led England posted a huge total of 209/3 in their 20 overs. England rode on fifties Dawid Malan’s unbeaten 78 off 47 balls and Harry Brook’s 46 not out off 29 balls to post a record T20 total at the venue. In reply, Pakistan could only manage 142/8 in their allotted overs as the visitors won the game by 67 runs.
Lowest total
The New Zealand cricket team registered the lowest total at the Gaddafi Stadium in the T20I format. Chasing 183, New Zealand were bowled out for 94 in 15.3 overs during the first T20I of their Pakistan tour in April 2023. Mark Chapman top-scored for the Kiwis with 34. For Pakistan, Haris Rauf was the wrecker-in-chief with 4/18. Earlier, Pakistan scored 182 before being bowled out in 19.5 overs. The Babar Azam-led Pakistan won the game by 88 runs.
Most runs
Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam has scored the most runs at the venue in T20 international cricket. Between 2017 and 2023, Babar Azam has scored 648 runs in 19 matches at an average of 43.20 and a strike rate of 135.84. He has slammed one century and four fifties at the Gaddafi Stadium in T20I format. His teammate Mohammad Rizwan features second on the list with 359 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 132.96.
Most wickets
Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has picked up the most wickets at this cricket ground in the T20I format. The right-arm pacer has bagged 17 wickets in 10 T20Is at an average of 17.94 and an economy of 8.31. He has the best bowling figures of 4/18 at this venue in T20Is. Compatriot Shadab Khan is second on the list with 12 wickets in 15 matches at an economy of nine runs per over.
Highest individual score
Mohammad Rizwan holds the record for the highest individual score at the Gaddafi Stadium in T20I cricket. Opening the batting, the star wicketkeeper-batter slammed unbeaten 104 off 64 balls against South Africa in the opening T20I in Lahore in 2021. Rizwan’s magnificent knock was laced with six fours and seven sixes. Rizwan’s knock helped Pakistan post 169/6 in their 20 overs. Later, Pakistan restricted South Africa to 166/6 to secure a nail-biting three run victory.
Best bowling figures
Former South Africa pacer Dwaine Pretorius registered the best bowling figures at this venue in the T20I format. The right-arm pacer registered match-winning figures of 5/17 against Pakistan in the second T20I in 2021. Pretorius dismissed Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Nawaz to restrict Pakistan to 144/7 in their 20 overs. South Africa later successfully chased down the target in 16.2 overs to register a six-wicket win in Lahore.
Highest partnership
Pakistan’s Mukhtar Ahmed and Ahmed Shehzad hold the record for the highest partnership at the Gaddafi Stadium in T20 international cricket. Chasing 173, Mukhtar Ahmed and Ahmed Shehzad forged a match-winning 142-run stand for the opening wicket against Zimbabwe in the first T20I of the series in 2015. Mukhtar Ahmed slammed 83 off 45 balls while Ahmed Shehzad scored a 39-ball 55. Earlier, Zimbabwe scored 172/6 in their 20 overs. Pakistan won the opening T20I by five wickets.
Photo credit: Alamy
