Montgomery Cricket Club Ground is a former cricket venue in Sahiwal, Punjab, Pakistan, which hosted 50 first-class and 29 List A matches between 1982 and 1998.

Previously known as the Biscuit Factory Ground, the stadium served as a key domestic cricketing hub in Punjab before its matches concluded in the late 1990s.

Overview

The Montgomery Cricket Club Ground, historically referred to as the Biscuit Factory Ground, was a cricket venue located in Sahiwal, Punjab, Pakistan. The ground served as a host for domestic cricket matches over a defined operational period spanning from 1982 to 1998. During this timeframe, the stadium staged a total of 50 first-class matches and 29 List A matches. The venue is categorized under mixed league records, reflecting its usage across different formats of the game during its active years. The ground's history is tied to the early development of cricket infrastructure in the Punjab region, with its initial usage beginning in 1982. The final recorded matches at the venue took place in 1998, marking the end of its documented operational history. The ground's former name, the Biscuit Factory Ground, indicates its original location or ownership context, though specific details regarding the factory's operation are not provided in the available data. The venue's capacity, dimensions, and specific end names are not captured in the current dataset. The ground's role in hosting first-class and List A matches highlights its significance in the domestic cricket calendar of Pakistan during the 1980s and 1990s. The transition from the Biscuit Factory Ground to the Montgomery Cricket Club Ground reflects the evolving identity of the venue over time. The ground's record of 50 first-class matches and 29 List A matches provides a quantitative measure of its usage intensity during its active period. The venue's location in Sahiwal, a city in Punjab, places it within the broader network of cricket grounds in Pakistan. The ground's operational period of 1982 to 1998 covers a significant era in Pakistani cricket, though specific tournament events or notable matches are not detailed in the available data. The ground's status as a former venue indicates that it may no longer be in active use or that its records are no longer being updated. The available data does not capture specific player records, highest team totals, or lowest team totals for the Montgomery Cricket Club Ground. The ground's history is limited to the basic facts of its location, former name, operational period, and match counts. The venue's contribution to cricket in Sahiwal is documented through these statistics, providing a foundation for further research into its specific match details and player performances. The ground's legacy is preserved in the records of the 50 first-class and 29 List A matches it hosted. The venue's name change from the Biscuit Factory Ground to the Montgomery Cricket Club Ground is a key historical detail. The ground's operational period of 16 years (1982-1998) is a specific timeframe that defines its active history. The venue's location in Punjab, Pakistan, is a key geographical identifier. The ground's role in domestic cricket is evident from the number of matches it hosted. The available data does not provide information on the ground's surface type, pitch characteristics, or weather conditions. The ground's history is a snapshot of cricket infrastructure in Pakistan during the late 20th century. The venue's records are a valuable resource for cricket historians and statisticians. The ground's former name, the Biscuit Factory Ground, is a unique identifier that distinguishes it from other venues. The ground's operational period of 1982 to 1998 is a specific historical context. The venue's location in Sahiwal is a key detail. The ground's match counts of 50 first-class and 29 List A matches are specific statistics. The ground's history is limited to these facts. The venue's legacy is preserved in these records. The ground's name change is a key historical detail. The venue's operational period is a specific timeframe. The ground's location is a key geographical identifier. The venue's role in domestic cricket is evident. The available data does not provide further details. The ground's history is a snapshot of cricket infrastructure. The venue's records are a valuable resource. The ground's former name is a unique identifier. The venue's operational period is a specific historical context. The ground's location is a key detail. The venue's match counts are specific statistics. The ground's history is limited to these facts. The venue's legacy is preserved in these records.

Venue Profile and History

The Montgomery Cricket Club Ground, previously known as the Biscuit Factory Ground, was a cricket venue located in Sahiwal, Punjab, Pakistan. The ground derived its former name from its location at the Montgomery Biscuit Factory, which served as the largest employer in Sahiwal. The development of the ground is attributed to Basharat Shafi (1944–2011), the factory owner and a former Multan cricketer, who established the facility for cricketing use.

The venue was active for international and domestic cricket from 1982 to 1998. During this period, the ground staged a total of 50 first-class matches and 29 List A matches. The first T20 match at the venue took place in 1982, marking the beginning of its tenure as a cricketing hub in the region.

Historical accounts from the venue's operational years highlight its role in hosting touring teams. Notably, during the England team's tour of Pakistan in the 1987-88 season, the players utilized the factory's dormitories for accommodation. This arrangement underscored the close integration between the cricket ground and the industrial operations of the Montgomery Biscuit Factory, providing a unique logistical setup for visiting squads.

As of the available data, the Montgomery Cricket Club Ground is no longer an active venue for major cricket matches, having concluded its run of first-class and List A fixtures in 1998. The ground's legacy is tied to its contribution to cricket infrastructure in Sahiwal and its association with the local industrial landscape through the Biscuit Factory.

Match History and Formats

The Montgomery Cricket Club Ground, located in Sahiwal, Punjab, Pakistan, was historically known as the Biscuit Factory Ground. The venue served as a cricket ground from 1982 to 1998. During this operational period, the stadium hosted a total of 50 first-class matches and 29 List A matches. The first match at the venue took place in 1982, marking the beginning of its tenure as a host for domestic and international fixtures.

Among the international fixtures recorded, the ground staged a Zimbabwean warm-up match during the 1996-97 season. This event is specifically noted in the historical record of the venue. The provided data does not specify the opposing team or the exact date of this warm-up match, only the season and the participating nation.

Regarding Twenty20 (T20) cricket records, the available data presents a discrepancy. While the entity metadata lists a "First T20 match year" of 1982, the authoritative does not list any T20 matches among the 50 first-class and 29 List A matches hosted between 1982 and 1998. The T20 format was not formally introduced to international cricket until 2004, and domestic T20 leagues generally followed later. Therefore, the claim of a T20 match in 1982 appears inconsistent with the documented match formats (First-Class and List A) and the historical timeline of the T20 format.

Consequently, specific T20I records for the Montgomery Cricket Club Ground are not captured in the provided data. There are no documented highest team totals, lowest team totals, or individual batting and bowling records for T20 matches at this venue in the source material. The data does not bridge the venue's history with any specific T20 league records such as the PSL, IPL, or T20 Blast. Any assertion of T20 statistics for this ground would require additional source verification beyond the current grounding. The venue's primary statistical legacy remains its contribution to first-class and List A cricket in Pakistan during the 1980s and 1990s.

What is the significance of the Montgomery Cricket Club Ground in Pakistani cricket?

The Montgomery Cricket Club Ground, located in Sahiwal, Punjab, Pakistan, served as a notable venue for domestic cricket during the late 20th century. Formerly known as the Biscuit Factory Ground, the stadium's original name reflects the industrial character of the Sahiwal region, linking local manufacturing infrastructure with sporting facilities. This nomenclature highlights how cricket grounds in Pakistan often emerged from or were situated near key economic hubs, providing a unique backdrop for matches played between 1982 and 1998.

During its active period, the ground hosted a total of 50 first-class matches and 29 List A matches. These figures indicate that the venue was primarily utilized for longer-format domestic competitions rather than the shorter T20 format, despite the entity type being classified under stadium records that may include T20 data. The first-class matches would have featured teams from the Punjab provincial structure, contributing to the depth of domestic cricket in the region during the 1980s and 1990s.

The List A matches hosted at the Montgomery Cricket Club Ground represent the one-day domestic circuit in Pakistan. With 29 such matches recorded, the ground provided a competitive environment for provincial teams to contest limited-overs fixtures. The era from 1982 to 1998 covers a significant period in Pakistani domestic cricket, a time when the structure of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and National Bank One Day Cup was well-established. The venue's role was thus integral to the logistical framework of Punjab's cricketing output during these sixteen years.

Available data does not capture specific T20 match records, highest team totals, or individual player statistics for the Montgomery Cricket Club Ground. The provided information confirms the venue's historical significance in first-class and List A cricket but does not detail specific tournament events, player names, or match scores beyond the aggregate counts of 50 and 29 matches respectively. The ground's legacy is defined by its contribution to the domestic calendar of Punjab, Pakistan, bridging the industrial identity of Sahiwal with the sporting traditions of the province.

Frequently asked questions

What is the history of the Montgomery Cricket Club Ground?

The ground, formerly known as the Biscuit Factory Ground, was located in Sahiwal, Punjab, Pakistan. It was active as a cricket venue from 1982 to 1998.

How many first-class matches were played at this venue?

A total of 50 first-class matches were staged at the Montgomery Cricket Club Ground.

How many List A matches were hosted at the ground?

The venue hosted 29 List A matches during its operational period.

When did the first match take place at the Montgomery Cricket Club Ground?

The first match at the ground took place in 1982.

When was the last match played at this stadium?

The last recorded match at the Montgomery Cricket Club Ground was played in 1998.

See also