Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is a cricket venue located in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Owned by Sri Lanka Cricket, the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was opened on November 27, 2009 and has a seating capacity of 35,000.
The Kandy cricket stadium became the world's 104th Test venue after it hosted its first international match played between hosts Sri Lanka and West Indies in December 2010. The match later ended in a draw.
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was built alongside Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium as one of the grounds to host the 2011 Cricket World Cup. It hosted three league-stage matches of the marquee competition.
It later hosted its first T20 international played between Sri Lanka and Australia on August 6, 2011. The Tillakaratne Dilshan-led Sri Lanka won the game by 35 runs. Since then, it has staged more than 20 T20 internationals.
Apart from international cricket, the venue has staged several local and regional T20 matches including Lanka Premier League (LPL) games.
Let’s have a look at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium T20 records and stats:
Highest total
The Australia cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in T20 cricket. During the first T20I of Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka in September 2016, the David Warner-led visitors posted a mammoth total of 263/3 in their allotted 20 overs. Glenn Maxwell smashed 145 not out along with contributions from Travis Head (45) and Usman Khawaja (36) to power Australia to a record T20 total at the venue. In reply, Sri Lanka scored 178/9 in their allotted overs as Australia registered an 85-run victory in Kandy. The visitors later won the two-match T20I series 2-0.
Lowest total
The New Zealand cricket team registered the lowest total at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in T20 cricket. Chasing 126, New Zealand were bundled out for 88 in 16 overs in the third T20I of a three-match series in September 2019. Captain Tim Southee (28 not out) and Mitchell Santner (16) were the top scorers for New Zealand. For Sri Lanka, pacer Lasith Malinga was the wrecker-in-chief with figures of 4-1-6-5. Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 125/8 in their 20 overs to win the T20I by 37 runs.
Most runs
Former Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal has scored the most runs at this cricket venue in T20 format. Between 2010 and 2023, the right-handed middle-order batter amassed 655 runs in 26 matches at an average of 34.47 and a strike rate of 130.21. Chandimal has represented the likes of B-Love Kandy, Colombo, Colombo Stars, Ruhuna, SLC Reds, Sri Lanka and Wayamba United in T20 cricket at this ground. All-rounder Dasun Shanaka features second on the list with 635 runs in 20 T20 matches. He has played for Dambulla Aura, Galle Titans, Kandy, SLC Greys and Sri Lanka.
Most wickets
Sri Lankan cricketer Akila Dananjaya has picked up the most wickets at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in T20 cricket. Having represented the likes of Colombo, Galle Titans, SLC Reds, Sri Lanka and Wayamba United in T20 format, Akila Dananjaya has bagged 24 wickets in 18 matches at an economy of 7.69 between 2012 and 2023. Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga is second on the list with 21 scalps in 16 games. He played for Kandy, Ruhuna Royals and Sri Lanka in cricket’s shortest format at this venue.
Highest individual score
Australia’s Glenn Maxwell has registered the highest individual score at this venue in the T20 format. During the first T20 international of Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2016, Glenn Maxwell slammed an unbeaten 65-ball 145 while opening the batting. Maxwell clobbered 14 fours and nine sixes to help Australia post 263/3 in their 20 overs. Australia later restricted Sri Lanka to 178/9 in their allotted overs to secure a comprehensive 85-run win in Kandy.
Best bowling figures
Former Sri Lanka cricketer Ajantha Mendis has the best bowling figures at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in T20 cricket. The right-arm off-spinner recorded match-winning figures of 6/16 against Australia in the final T20I of a two-match series in August 2011. Defending 157, Ajantha Mendis dismissed Shane Watson, David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson to help restrict Australia to 149/9 in their allotted overs. Sri Lanka won the T20I by eight runs and bagged the two-match series 2-0.
Highest partnership
Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka hold the record for the highest partnership at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in T20 format. Chasing 197, Kandy’s Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka stitched a 134-run partnership for the third wicket against Galle in a SLC T20 League clash in 2018. While Mathews scored 46, Shanaka remained unbeaten on 105 to guide Kandya to a five-wicket victory.
Photo credit: Alamy
