The Sharjah Cricket Stadium is one of the most iconic cricket venues located in the United Arab Emirates.

Established in 1982, the Sharjah Cricket Stadium staged its first international cricket match, a One-Day International (ODI) played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in April 1984.

Since then, the Sharjah Cricket Stadium gained popularity as a limited-overs venue in the 1980s as it hosted several tournaments under the aegis of The Cricketers Benefit Fund Series established by Emirati businessman Abdul Rahman Bukhatir.

The Sharjah Cricket Stadium hosted its first women’s international match in January 2015 when the Sri Lanka women’s cricket team played an ODI against Pakistan.

It later staged its first WT20I that also featured Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Led by Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka won the first-ever WT20I in Sharjah by eight runs. Since then, the venue has hosted 10 women’s T20Is so far.

It holds the record for the highest numbers of international cricket matches played at a venue, having hosted close to 300 matches so far.

Let’s have a look at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium women’s T20 records and stats:

Sharjah Cricket Stadium women’s T20 records and stats

Highest total

The Sri Lanka women’s cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in women’s T20 international cricket. During Sri Lanka Women’s tour of the United Arab Emirates in January 2015, the Chamari Athapaththu-led side posted 151/5 in their 20 overs against Pakistan. Sri Lanka rode on Dilani Manodara’s 50 along with contributions from Chamari Athapaththu (31) and Eshani Lokusuriyage (27) to record the highest women’s T20 total at the venue in international cricket. Later, Sri Lanka restricted Pakistan to 143/8 in their allotted overs to register an eight-run win in Sharjah.

Lowest total

Sri Lanka Women also registered the lowest total at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in women’s T20I cricket. Sri Lanka were bundled out for 69 while chasing Pakistan’s 124/6 in the second T20I of a three-match series in January 2015. Chasing 125, Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals as they were bowled out in just 15.3 overs. Chathurani Gunawardene (14) and Ama Kanchana (10) were the top-scorers for Sri Lanka. Pakistan captain Sana Mir was the wrecker-in-chief with 4/14 to guide them to a 55-run victory. Earlier, Sana Mir scored 48 not out while Javeria Khan added 25 to help Pakistan post a fighting total on the board. Despite the win, Pakistan lost the three-match series 1-2.

Most runs

Former Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof scored the most runs at this venue in women’s T20 international cricket. Between 2015 and 2017, Bismah Maroof amassed 236 runs in 10 T20Is at an average of 29.50 and a strike rate of 95.93. The former left-handed batter slammed one T20I fifty at this ground. New Zealand batting all-rounder Sophie Devine is second on the list with 158 runs in four matches at an average of 39.50 and a strike rate of 162.88.

Most wickets

Pakistan duo Sadia Yousuf and Sana Mir have the most wickets at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the women’s T20I format. Former left-arm spinner Sadia Yousuf bagged seven T20I wickets in six matches at an average of 23.28 and an economy of 8.15. On the other hand, right-arm off-spinner Sana Mir also scalped seven T20I wickets at this venue in 10 games at an impressive economy of 5.88. New Zealand cricketer Hannah Rowe, Inoka Ranaweera of Sri Lanka and Pakistan’s Asmavia Iqbal share the second spot with six scalps each.

Highest individual score

New Zealand’s Sophie Devine registered the highest individual score at this venue in the women’s T20I format. Opening the batting, the right-handed batter slammed 70 off just 44 balls against Pakistan in November 2017. Sophie Devine’s blistering knock was laced with four fours and five sixes. Twin fifties from Sophie Devine and captain Suzie Bates (52) powered New Zealand to 150/8 in their 20 overs. In reply, Pakistan could only manage 111/7 in their allotted overs as New Zealand won the game by 39 runs.

Best bowling figures

Pakistan’s Sana Mir recorded the best bowling figures at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in women’s T20 international cricket. The right-arm off-spinner registered match-winning figures of 4/14 against Sri Lanka in the second T20I of a three-match series in January 2015. Defending 124, Sana Mir dismissed captain Chamari Athapaththu, Ama Kanchana, Maduri Samuddika and Inoka Ranaweera to bowl out Sri Lanka for 69 in 15.3 overs. Mir’s incredible bowling spell guided Pakistan to a comprehensive 55-run win in Sharjah. 

Highest partnership

New Zealand’s Sophie Devine and captain Suzie Bates hold the record for the highest partnership at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in women’s T20Is. Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates forged a brilliant 116-run stand for the opening wicket against Pakistan in November 2017. Devine hammered a 44-ball 70 while Bates scored 52 off 43 balls to help New Zealand post 150/8 in their 20 overs. Later, New Zealand restricted Pakistan to 111/7 to secure a 39-run victory in Sharjah.

Photo credit: Imago