The SuperSport Park is one of the iconic cricket stadiums located in Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa.
Originally named as Centurion Park, the SuperSport Park has a seating capacity of 22,000 and also features Beach Cabana type hospitality chalets on the grass banks. It has a beautiful outfield with one of the best drainage facilities.
Considered to be one of the cricket grounds with the best players' facilities in the world, the SuperSport Park staged its first One-Day International (ODI) between hosts South Africa and India in December 1992. India won the match by four wickets.
The SuperSport Park later hosted its first Test match played between South Africa and England in November 1995. The match ended in a draw.
Later in 2009, it staged its first T20 international match that featured hosts South Africa and Australia. Under the leadership of Johan Botha, South Africa won the game by 17 runs.
The SuperSport Park is the home ground of the South African cricket team, Titans cricket team and SA20’s Pretoria Capitals.
It was also one of the venues that hosted ICC World Cup 2003 and ICC Champions Trophy 2009. It also staged the Indian T20 League in 2009.
Let’s have a look at SuperSport Park T20 records and stats:
SuperSport Park T20 records and stats
Highest total
The South Africa cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the SuperSport Park in T20 international cricket. During the second T20I of the West Indies tour of South Africa in March 2023, the Aiden Markram-led hosts recorded 259/4 while chasing West Indies’ 258/5. Chasing 259, South Africa rode on Quinton de Kock’s 100, along with contributions from Reeza Hendricks (68) and Aiden Markram’s unbeaten 38 to successfully chase down the target in just 18.5 overs to register a six-wicket win in Centurion. Earlier, Johnson Charles’ 118 helped West Indies post a mammoth total of 258/5 in their 20 overs.
Lowest total
South Africa registered the lowest total at the SuperSport Park in T20 international cricket. Chasing 196, the hosts were bundled out for 100 in just 12.2 overs during the second T20I of Pakistan’s tour of South Africa in March 2013. AB de Villiers top-scored for South Africa with 36 while Rory Kleinveldt scored 22. For Pakistan, Umar Gul was the wrecker-in-chief with five wickets while Mohammad Hafeez bagged three wickets. Earlier, captain Mohammad Hafeez (86) and Ahmed Shehzad (46) powered Pakistan to 195/7 in their allotted overs. With the 95-run victory, Pakistan won the two-match T20I series 1-0 after the opening game was abandoned due to rain.
Most runs
South Africa’s top order batter Rassie van der Dussen has scored the most runs at the SuperSport Park in the T20 international format. Between 2019 and 2021, Rassie van der Dussen amassed 202 runs in five matches at an average of 50.50 and a strike rate of 140.27. He has two T20I fifties at this venue. His teammate David Miller features second on the list with 200 runs in 10 T20Is at a strike rate of 147.05 while also maintaining an average of 25.
Most wickets
Former South Africa all-rounder Chris Morris bagged the most wickets at the SuperSport Park in T20 international cricket. The former right-arm fast bowler picked up seven wickets in four T20Is at an average of 19.42 and an economy of 8.50 between 2013 and 2019. He registered best bowling figures of 3/32 on this ground in the T20I format. Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf is second on the list with six wickets in three T20Is at an average of 15.33 and an economy of 7.66.
Highest individual score
Pakistan talisman Babar Azam registered the highest individual score against South Africa at this ground in T20I cricket. Chasing 204 in April 2021, Babar Azam slammed 122 off just 59 balls to help Pakistan chase down the target in 18 overs and secure a nine-wicket win in the third T20I of a four-match series in Centurion. His magnificent knock was laced with 15 fours and four maximums. Earlier, South Africa posted 203/5 in their 20 overs. Pakistan later clinched the four-match T20I series 3-1.
Best bowling figures
Former Pakistan cricketer Umar Gul recorded the best bowling figures at the SuperSport Park in T20 international cricket. During the second T20I of Pakistan’s tour of South Africa in March 2013, Umar Gul registered match-winning figures of 2.2-0-6-5. Defending 195, the former right-arm pacer dismissed captain Faf du Plessis, Chris Morris, Justin Ontong, Farhaan Behardien and Kyle Abbott to bowl out South Africa for 100 in 12.2 overs and guide the visitors to a 95-run victory.
Highest partnership
Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam hold the record for the highest partnership at the SuperSport Park in T20 international cricket. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam forged a match-winning 197-run stand for the opening wicket against while chasing South Africa’s 203/5 in the third T20I of a four-match series. While Babar Azam hammered 122, Mohammad Rizwan remained unbeaten on 73 to help Pakistan register a nine-wicket win in Centurion.
Photo credit: Imago
