Top 13 Cricket Stadium of Pakistan

Introduction

Pakistan is a cricket-loving nation. Although Hockey is a national game, the people of Pakistan are very passionate about cricket. Due to this reason, the government has built many cricket stadiums in Pakistan. The purpose is to engage more people towards cricket and give quality opportunities to youngsters. I am going to share with you details of the most famous stadiums in Pakistan.

1. Gaddafi Stadium Lahore
2. National Stadium Karachi
3. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
4. Multan Cricket Stadium
5. Arbab Niaz Stadium Peshawar
6. Bugti Stadium Quetta
7. Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad
8. Niaz Stadium Hyderabad
9. Jinna Stadium Sialkot
10. Jinnah Stadium Gujranwala
11. Gawadar Cricket Stadium
12. Pissan Cricket Stadium
13. Mandi Bahauddin Cricket Stadium
14. Ayub National Stadium
15. Sheikhupura Stadium 

1. Gaddafi Stadium Lahore

This stadium is home to the PCB Pakistan Cricket Board. It was constructed in 1959 in Lahore. Its original name was Lahore Stadium but later it was named by Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi. The capacity of the stadium is almost 27,000 fans. PCB's main training academy is also located at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. It hosted two World Cup matches and also many franchise cricket finals.

It is also the home ground of the PSL franchise Lahore Qalandars. Its pitch type is batting-friendly and famous for high-scoring matches. Gaddafi Stadium was the first stadium in Pakistan with floodlights and a backup generator. It is now hosting matches of PSL. It was renovated in 1990 to give a more unique look.

2. National Stadium Karachi

It was built in 1955 in Karachi. It is the biggest stadium in Pakistan and can hold about 34,000 spectators. It is the home ground of the PSL franchise Karachi Kings and is also among the old and best stadiums in Pakistan. It hosted World Cup matches and also many franchise tournaments finals. Its pitches are batting-friendly but in tests, the case is different because it gives the advantage to bowlers later on.

The stadium is also considered the Fortress of the Pakistan Team because the Pakistan team has a good win percentage at the National Stadium Karachi. It is very iconic stadium for Pakistan cricket because it has many memories for cricket lovers and players.

3. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

This stadium was constructed in 1992 in Rawalpindi. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is the home stadium for the twin cities Islamabad and Rawalpindi. It has a seating capacity of 28,000 spectators. It is considered the home ground of the PSL franchise Islamabad United. It hosted 1996 World Cup matches and also many franchise tournaments. It has batting-friendly pitches and matches played here are always high-scoring.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is Pakistan’s 3^rd most famous cricket stadium. After Gaddafi Stadium and National Cricket Stadium Karachi, it is considered for many matches. The crowd here always comes up in big numbers to support their favorite stars and teams.

4. Multan Cricket Stadium

Multan Cricket Stadium is located in Multan city of Punjab, Pakistan. It has a seating capacity of 35,000 for fans. It was constructed in place of Ibn-e-Qasim Bagh Stadium in 2001. It has high-quality Floodlights. Its pitch is both batting and bowling-friendly. It hosted many T20 international and franchise matches. The stadium also hosted many ODI and Test matches due to quality pitches.

Recently, Test matches were played here against England. England toured Pakistan after so many years. It is the home ground of the PSL franchise Multan Sultans. Multan Sultans is a very consistent team of PSL. Multan Sultan has won the PSL 2021 edition under the captaincy of Muhammad Rizwan.

5. Arbab Niaz Stadium Peshawar

It is located in Peshawar city of KPK, Pakistan. It was built in the 1980s in Peshawar city. It has a seating capacity of 20,000 for cricket lovers. Arbab Niaz Stadium is the home ground of PSL Peshawar Zalmi. Although, it still has not hosted any match of PSL. Its construction is in progress and hopes that it will host PSL 9 matches in 2024. Peshawar Zalmi is a two-time champion of the Pakistan Super League.

Its pitches were ideal for spinners but after reconstruction, let’s see what results we will get. It hosted many International matches. At first, its name was “Shahi Bagh Stadium”.

6. Bugti Stadium Quetta

It is located in Quetta City, the capital of Baluchistan province, Pakistan. It was constructed in 1954 and hosted many international and exhibition matches. Its pitches are good for batters to score. It can hold about 10,000 fans with its seating capacity. Recently, an exhibition match was played here between PSL franchises Peshawar Zamli and Quetta Gladiators. The purpose was to engage Quetta fans with cricket and PSL.

It is the home ground of Quetta Gladiators. Quetta Gladiators is the one-time champion of the Pakistan Super League.

7. Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad

It was built in the 1970s in Faisalabad city of Punjab, Pakistan. It is named after the great Pakistani poet and dreamer of Pakistan Allama Muhammad Iqbal. It is named Iqbal Stadium to honor great poets of the world and Pakistan. It has a seating capacity of 18,000 for cricket lovers to watch matches in the stadium. Its original name was “Lyallpur Stadium”.

It hosted the 1996 World Cup match. The pitch here is friendly to batters to score more runs. Many international and local matches are played here.

8. Niaz Stadium Hyderabad

It is located in Thandi Sarak, Rani Bagh Qasimabad, Hyderabad, city of Sindh, Pakistan. It was constructed in 1959 and named Niaz Stadium due to a cricket lover of Hyderabad. It can hold 15,000 spectators at a time. The stadium has hosted many international and local matches. It is famous for hat trick of Pakistani bowler Jalaluddin. Its pitch is batting-friendly and heaven for batters to perform.

9. Jinnah Stadium Sialkot

It is located in Sialkot, a city in Punjab province, Pakistan. It was constructed by the British government back in the 1920s. Its original name was Jinnah Park but was later modified to Jinnah Stadium in 1979. It is one of the oldest cricket stadiums in Pakistan. It has a seating capacity of about 18,000 for fans to watch their favorite players in the stadium. Its pitches are heaven for bowlers to bowl on. Its green pitches are friendly for fast bowlers.

10. Jinnah Stadium Gujranwala

It was constructed in 1958 and was later modified in the 1980s to 1990s. It is located in Gujranwala city of Punjab province, Pakistan. The first match was played here in 1991 between India and Pakistan and the famous Sachin Tendulkar made his debut. It has a seating capacity of 20,000 for cricket fans. The last international match was played in the 2000s in which Aleem Dar made his umpiring career debut. It was built by the former mayor of the city, Muhammad Aslam Butt. Many international and local matches are played here. Its pitches are batting-friendly to score.

11. Gawadar Cricket Stadium

Gawadar Cricket Stadium is famous for its beauty. It is located in Gawadar, a city in Balochistan province, Pakistan. It has attracted many local and foreign players due to its location and charm. ICC International Cricket Council tweeted about its beauty. It is surrounded by high mountains which increases his beauty. It has not hosted any international match but many local exhibition matches are played here.

It is declared as the most beautiful cricket stadium in the world. Stadium has not any seats but fans can watch matches here. Soon it will be constructed according to ICC standards to host international matches. It was inaugurated in 2020 initially.

12. Pissan Cricket Stadium Gilgit Baltistan

Pissan Cricket Stadium is considered as the highest cricket stadium in the world. It is located in Hunza Nagar, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. It is situated at an altitude of 8,500 feet above sea level. If you are a cricket and nature lover, go to Pissan Stadium and enjoy both at the same spot. It is surrounded by many high and scenic mountains of Pakistan. CM Gilgit Baltistan Khalid Khurshid Khan was interested in converting Pissan Stadium to an international standard stadium. It will be great to watch international matches there.

13. Mandi Bahauddin Cricket Stadium (Jinnah Stadium)

Mandi Bahauddin Stadium is located in Mandi Bahauddin, Punjab, Pakistan. It is one of the most beautiful stadiums in Pakistan. It is located in the center of Mandi Bahaududdin city. It is not an international standard stadium but many local tournaments and exhibition matches are played here. It is the main cricket stadium for the people of Mandi Bahauddin. It is named as Cinema Cricket Ground. The stadium has a seating capacity of 10,000 for cricket lovers to watch matches.

Ayub National Stadium

The Ayub National Stadium is located in Quetta, Balochistan, formerly known as Balochistan Cricket Association Ground. The Stadium is located in Ayub Sports Complex where other facilities are also available like a football pitch, tartan track, indoor games, handball court, and hockey turfs. Stadium has hosted two India vs Pakistan matches in 1978 and 1984 One Day Internationals.

This stadium is a multi-purpose stadium where different sports are played like Football, Cricket, and other traditional games. Ground has a seating capacity of about 20,000 for Cricket fans. Stadium was built in 1955 and hosted many international matches including 1987 and 1996 World Cup matches.

Sheikhupura Stadium

The stadium is located in Sheikhupura district, Panjab province, Pakistan. The stadium has a seating capacity of about 15,000 spectators. It hosted the first international match in 1996 which was Pakistan vs Zimbabwe. Legendary Grant Flower from Zimbabwe scored 110 runs in the first Test match played here in 1996. 

Conclusion

So what do you think which stadium is best to watch a cricket match? Pakistan has many beautiful stadiums for fans. If you ask me, Pissan Cricket Stadium is my first priority. I am a nature and cricket lover, it will be the best moment for me to go there in the stadium. Tell us about your thoughts in the comments. Have you ever watched a cricket match in the stadium? Share your experience.

Read Also: Top 10 Cricket Stadium of India

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many international cricket stadiums are there in Pakistan? 

A: Pakistan has several international cricket stadiums, with the most notable ones being the National Stadium in Karachi, Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Q: What is the capacity of the National Stadium in Karachi? 

A: The National Stadium in Karachi has a seating capacity of over 34,000 spectators, making it one of the largest cricket stadiums in Pakistan2.

Q: Can the cricket stadiums in Pakistan be used for other purposes? 

A: Yes, many of the cricket stadiums in Pakistan are multi-purpose and can host a variety of events, including concerts and other sports.

Q: What are some unique features of Pakistan’s cricket stadiums? 

A: The National Stadium in Karachi is known for its rich history and has hosted numerous iconic cricket matches. It is also an architectural marvel, blending contemporary design with traditional elements.

Q: Which cricket stadium in Pakistan has hosted the most international matches? 

A: The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore has hosted a significant number of international matches, including Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is.