Dubai International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium, located in Dubai Sports City, is one of the largest cricket stadiums in the world. It has been witnessing a range of international matches like Tests, ODIs, T20Is, and major franchise leagues like the IPL and PSL since 2009.
It has a capacity of 25,000, expandable to 30,000, and is famous for its lively atmosphere and state-of-the-art facilities. Its most distinctive aspect might be the “Ring of Fire” lighting setup, where over 350 LED floodlights around the roof ensure perfect crystal-clear, shadow-free visibility during night games.
At Your IPL News, we bring you such thorough pitch reports like this one to keep you updated on the way stadiums like Dubai influence game strategy and outcomes.
Dubai International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at Dubai International Cricket Stadium is traditionally known as a balanced surface, offering opportunities to both batters and bowlers. While the surface is generally slow, it does not tilt too much in the favor of either the skill. Those teams that adapt quickly to conditions fare well here.
- Batting: Runs could be gained by patience and timing, but it is not a flat batting heaven. Shot choice is extremely crucial, especially against spin.
- Bowling: The success of spinners comes towards the later part of the game, whereas the pacers rely on variations like cutters and slow balls.
- Dew Factor: There are normally night games where dew plays a major role, and it is tough for the bowlers in the second innings.
Dubai International Cricket Stadium Ground Dimensions
The Dubai International Stadium features a massive playing ground compared to most other T20 and ODI grounds. Its ground size makes six-hitting slightly more challenging, which encourages bowlers.
- Straight boundaries: Around 75–78 meters
- Square boundaries: Roughly 65–70 meters
- Long-on and long-off regions: Around 72–75 meters
- Total playing area: Nearly 20,000 square meters
The size provides ample scope for huge hitters to hit the boundary, but good timing and placement are a must for most batsmen to score. The big ground assists bowlers, particularly spinners, as poorly timed shots tend to fall within the field rather than going for sixes.
Dubai International Stadium Pitch Report in Test Matches
- The red-ball pitch is generally slow and low, favoring the spinners as the match goes on.
- Batters need to be technically sound to score runs as lengthy innings require patience and discipline.
- Fast bowlers get little or no help with the new ball, and reverse swing is deployed later on.
- Test matches here are likely to produce low-to-moderate scoring games with results favoring sides with good spin attacks.
Dubai International Stadium Pitch Report in ODIs
- The Dubai ODI pitch is a batting pitch in the first innings for stroke play once established.
- In the second innings, the pitch slows down, and spinners have a good opportunity to dictate the middle overs.
- Scores of 250-280 are competitive here.
- Teams chasing also gain if dew is operating, as bowling becomes challenging under lights.
Dubai International Stadium Pitch Report in T20s
- T20 games at this stadium tend to witness competitive scores of 150–170.
- It is not the flattest surface, and hence teams have to construct their innings instead of hoping for high-scoring run-fests.
- Spinners tend to become match-winners, particularly in the middle overs.
- Fast bowlers employing slower deliveries and yorkers get rewarded during the death overs.
- Toss is important here as chasing in the dew provides a distinct advantage.
Records and Stats at Dubai International Stadium
- The stadium has also hosted a number of ICC events, including the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
- One of the famous games hosted here is India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2021, where Pakistan chased successfully under lights, showing the impact of dew.
- The stadium is also a regular home for Pakistan international matches when they host in the UAE.
Dubai International Cricket Stadium Records and Venue Stats: T20, ODI, Test
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium has been a witness to numerous legendary matches of every type. Some of the most crucial records and statistics of this venue are discussed below:
T20 International Records
| Record Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | 211/3 – Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2013 |
| Lowest Team Total | 71 – Kenya vs Afghanistan, 2013 |
| Highest Individual Score | 111* – Babar Azam (Pakistan) |
| Best Bowling Figures | 5/19 – Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka) |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 140-150 |
| Matches Won Batting 1st | 45% |
| Matches Won Chasing | 55% |
ODI Records
| Record Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | 355/5 – Pakistan vs England, 2015 |
| Lowest Team Total | 116 – Pakistan vs Hong Kong, 2008 |
| Highest Individual Score | 151 – Shane Watson (Australia) |
| Best Bowling Figures | 6/29 – Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 250-270 |
| Matches Won Batting 1st | 52% |
| Matches Won Chasing | 48% |
Test Records
| Record Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | 579/3d – New Zealand vs Pakistan, 2014 |
| Lowest Team Total | 96 – Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 2017 |
| Highest Individual Score | 302 – Azhar Ali (Pakistan) |
| Best Bowling Figures | 8/41 – Yasir Shah (Pakistan) |
| Matches Won Batting 1st | 60% |
| Matches Won Chasing | 40% |
Conclusion
The wicket at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is best described as a balanced one, one that demands concentration and competence. While batters can accumulate runs through smart play, bowlers and specifically spinners have ample opportunities to get their wickets. During restricted-overs cricket, dew is an absolute game-changer, and the toss becomes very crucial.
For fans, Dubai is a venue that always offers compelling cricket across formats with the latest facilities mixed in with fiercely competitive pitches.
