The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is one of the iconic cricket venues located in the Punjab province of Pakistan.
Inaugurated in January 1992, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium replaced Pindi Club Ground as an international stadium in the city.
With a seating capacity of 15,000, it is the home ground of Islamabad United and Northern.
The stadium staged its first international cricket match, a one-day international played between hosts Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 1992. Led by legendary Imran Khan, Pakistan won the match by 117 runs.
A year later, it hosted its first Test match that involved Pakistan and Zimbabwe. The hosts won the Test by 52 runs.
Almost three decades later, it staged its first T20 international played between Pakistan and Zimbabwe in November 2020.
Apart from international cricket, it has hosted several T20 domestic matches in the National T20 Cup and the Pakistan Super League. Let’s have a look at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Test records and stats:
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Test records and stats
Highest total
The England cricket team holds the record for the highest total at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Test cricket. During the first Test of England’s tour of Pakistan in December 2022, the visitors posted a mammoth total of 657 in their first innings after electing to bat first. Harry Brook (153), Zak Crawley (122), Ollie Pope (108) and Ben Duckett (107) slammed scintillating centuries to help England register a record Test total at the venue. In reply, Pakistan scored 579 before England posted 264/7d in their second innings to set up a target of 343 in the fourth innings. Under the leadership of Ben Stokes, England bowled out Pakistan for 268 as the visitors won the Test by 74 runs.
Lowest total
The West Indies cricket team registered the lowest total at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Test cricket. The Courtney Walsh-led side were bundled out for 139 in their second innings during the second Test of the West Indies’ tour of Pakistan in 1997. Carl Hooper top-scored for the West Indies with 73 not out while Sherwin Campbell scored 34. Wasim Akram was the wrecker-in-chief for Pakistan with figures of 4/42. Earlier, Pakistan bowled out West Indies for 303 in the first innings after opting to field first. Later, the Wasim Akram-led Pakistan scored 471 in reply. Pakistan won the Test by an innings and 29 runs.
Most runs
Former Pakistan cricketer Saeed Anwar scored the most runs at this ground in cricket’s longest format. The left-handed opening batter accumulated 546 runs in six Test matches at an average of 54.60 between 1994 and 2000. Saeed Anwar slammed two centuries and as many fifties at this venue in Test cricket. His compatriot Babar Azam is second on the list with 506 runs in six Test matches at an impressive average of 72.28.
Most wickets
Legendary fast bowler Waqar Younis picked up the most wickets at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Test cricket. Between 1993 and 2000, the right-arm pacer bagged 23 wickets in five matches at an average of 27. He claimed two four-wicket hauls and one fifer at this venue in Tests. Former teammate Wasim Akram features second on the list with 16 wickets in five Tests.
Highest individual score
Former India cricketer Rahul Dravid registered the highest individual score at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Test cricket. Batting at number three, Rahul Dravid scored 270 against hosts Pakistan in their first innings of the third Test in April 2004. His magnificent double century was laced with 34 fours and one maximum to help India post a huge total of 600 after the visitors bowled out Pakistan for 224. The Sourav Ganguly-led India later bundled out Pakistan for 245 in their second innings to win the Test by an innings and 131 runs.
Best bowling figures in an innings
Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Zahid recorded the best bowling figures in an innings of a Test at this venue in 1996. The former right-arm pacer registered brilliant figures of 7/66 to help bundle out New Zealand for 168 in their second innings. Mohammad Zahid dismissed Bryan Young, Justin Vaughan, Adam Parore, captain Lee Germon, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris and Dipak Patel. Pakistan won the Test by an innings and 13 runs to level the two-match series 1-1.
Best bowling figures in a match
Mohammad Zahid also holds the record for the best bowling figures in a Test match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Test cricket. The pacer took 11 wickets during the second Test of New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan in 1996. While Mohammad Zahid took four wickets for 64 runs in the first innings, he scalped seven wickets for 66 runs in the second innings. Zahid’s incredible bowling performance helped Pakistan win the Test by an innings and 13 runs.
Highest partnership
Pakistan’s Aamer Sohail and Inzamam-ul-Haq recorded the highest partnership at this ground in Test cricket. Aamer Sohail and Inzamam-ul-Haq forged a massive 323-run stand for the third wicket in their first innings of the second Test against West Indies in 1997. Aamer Sohail scored 160 while Inzamam-ul-Haq slammed 177. Pakistan won by an innings and 29 runs.
Photo credit: Imago
