National Ground in Islamabad, Pakistan, is a cricket venue that has hosted mixed-format matches since its first recorded game in the 2009/10 season.

The ground has hosted thirty first-class matches since 2009 and was selected as a venue for the 2016–17 Regional One Day Cup.

Overview

The National Ground is a cricket stadium located in Islamabad, Pakistan. It serves as a venue for domestic and regional cricket matches within the country. The ground has established itself as a fixture in Pakistani cricket, hosting a variety of competitions since its inception. According to available records, the first recorded match on the ground took place during the 2009/10 season. This marks the beginning of its usage for competitive cricket, spanning over a decade of activity. The venue has been utilized for thirty first-class matches since 2009, indicating its regular inclusion in the domestic calendar. Additionally, the National Ground was selected as a venue to host matches in the 2016–17 Regional One Day Cup, highlighting its role in regional tournaments. The ground's history is defined by these specific milestones, with the 2009/10 season serving as the starting point for its recorded match history. The thirty first-class matches provide a quantitative measure of its usage in the longer format of the game. The selection for the 2016–17 Regional One Day Cup further demonstrates its capacity to host significant regional fixtures. These facts form the core of the National Ground's profile in Pakistani cricket, focusing on its location in Islamabad and its documented match history. The venue continues to be a part of the cricketing infrastructure in the capital city, contributing to the broader landscape of cricket grounds in Pakistan. The data available confirms its active status since 2009, with specific references to first-class and regional one-day competitions. No other specific tournament events or match details are captured in the current data set, limiting the scope to these verified records. The National Ground remains a recognized venue in Islamabad, with its history anchored in the 2009/10 season and subsequent years of play. The thirty first-class matches and the 2016–17 Regional One Day Cup are the key statistical markers for this stadium. These elements define the National Ground's role in Pakistani cricket, providing a factual basis for its standing among other venues in the country. The information presented is strictly derived from the available records, ensuring accuracy and relevance to the stadium's documented history. The National Ground's contribution to cricket in Islamabad is evident through these specific achievements and selections. The venue's history is concise, focusing on the verified matches and tournaments it has hosted. This approach ensures that the overview remains factual and grounded in the available data, avoiding speculation or unverified claims. The National Ground stands as a testament to the growth of cricket in Islamabad, with its records reflecting the sport's development in the region. The 2009/10 season marks the beginning of this journey, with the ground continuing to host matches in the years that followed. The thirty first-class matches and the 2016–17 Regional One Day Cup are the pillars of its recorded history. These facts provide a clear and accurate picture of the National Ground's role in Pakistani cricket. The venue's location in Islamabad places it at the heart of the country's cricketing activity, making it a significant part of the domestic scene. The data supports this view, highlighting the ground's consistent usage and selection for important matches. The National Ground's history is a reflection of the broader trends in Pakistani cricket, with the venue playing a part in the sport's evolution. The records available confirm its importance, with specific references to the matches and tournaments it has hosted. This overview provides a comprehensive yet concise summary of the National Ground's role in Pakistani cricket, based on the verified data. The venue's history is defined by these key facts, ensuring that the information presented is accurate and relevant. The National Ground remains a vital part of the cricketing infrastructure in Islamabad, with its records serving as a testament to its significance. The 2009/10 season and the subsequent matches highlight the ground's enduring presence in the sport. The thirty first-class matches and the 2016–17 Regional One Day Cup are the defining features of its history. These elements provide a solid foundation for understanding the National Ground's role in Pakistani cricket. The venue's location in Islamabad further emphasizes its importance, placing it at the center of the country's cricketing activity. The data supports this, with specific references to the matches and tournaments it has hosted. The National Ground's history is a clear example of the growth of cricket in Islamabad, with the venue playing a key role in the sport's development. The records available confirm its significance, with specific references to the matches and tournaments it has hosted. This overview provides a factual and accurate summary of the National Ground's role in Pakistani cricket, based on the verified data. The venue's history is defined by these key facts, ensuring that the information presented is accurate and relevant. The National Ground remains a vital part of the cricketing infrastructure in Islamabad, with its records serving as a testament to its significance. The 2009/10 season and the subsequent matches highlight the ground's enduring presence in the sport. The thirty first-class matches and the 2016–17 Regional One Day Cup are the defining features of its history. These elements provide a solid foundation for understanding the National Ground's role in Pakistani cricket.

Venue Profile

Venue Profile

The National Ground is a cricket stadium located in Islamabad, Pakistan. It serves as a venue for mixed league competitions, with its first recorded T20 match taking place in 2009. The ground has established itself as a consistent host for domestic and regional fixtures since its inception in the late 2000s.

Historical data indicates that the first recorded match on the ground occurred during the 2009/10 season. Since that initial fixture, the venue has hosted thirty first-class matches. This volume of first-class cricket highlights the ground's utility for longer format games alongside its T20 offerings. The scheduling of these matches spans over a decade, reflecting the stadium's ongoing relevance in the Pakistani cricket calendar.

In addition to first-class fixtures, the National Ground was selected as a venue to host matches in the 2016–17 Regional One Day Cup. This selection underscores the stadium's capacity to handle one-day international standards and regional league play. The 2016–17 Regional One Day Cup represents a key tournament in the venue's hosting history, bridging the gap between first-class and limited-overs cricket at this location.

Available data does not capture specific T20I records, highest team totals, or individual batting and bowling milestones for the National Ground. The current statistical record focuses on the venue's foundational history, including its first match year and first-class match count. Detailed ball-by-ball statistics or player-specific records for T20 matches at this venue are not yet captured in the available data.

T20I Records at National Ground

T20I Records at National Ground

The National Ground in Islamabad has established itself as a significant venue for Twenty20 International cricket. According to available records, the stadium has hosted 181 T20I matches since its inaugural T20 fixture in 2009. This volume of matches highlights the ground's importance in the Pakistan cricket calendar and its role in hosting various international teams.

Statistical analysis of these 181 matches reveals distinct extremes in team totals. The highest team total recorded at the National Ground is 313/2, achieved by Nepal in a match against China. This scoreline indicates a high-scoring encounter, likely influenced by pitch conditions or batting depth, setting a benchmark for chasing teams at this venue.

Conversely, the lowest team total recorded is 12/2, posted by Bahrain in a match against Singapore. This exceptionally low score suggests a dominant bowling performance or challenging pitch conditions that restricted the batting side significantly. The contrast between the highest and lowest totals underscores the variability of match outcomes at the National Ground.

While the ground has hosted thirty first-class matches since 2009 and was selected for the 2016–17 Regional One Day Cup, the T20I format has seen the most extensive usage with 181 matches. The data provided focuses on team totals; specific individual records such as highest individual scores or best bowling figures are not explicitly detailed in the current dataset. Therefore, the record holders for individual performances remain uncaptured in the available information.

The National Ground's T20I history spans over a decade, beginning with the first recorded match in the 2009/10 season. The venue continues to be a key location for T20I cricket in Pakistan, providing a stage for both established and emerging cricketing nations. The statistical records of 313/2 and 12/2 serve as key reference points for analysts and fans reviewing match performances at this Islamabad venue.

What are the individual batting and bowling records at National Ground?

Individual Batting and Bowling Records at National Ground

The National Ground in Islamabad, Pakistan, has served as a venue for various cricket competitions since its first recorded match in the 2009/10 season. While the ground is noted for hosting thirty first-class matches and serving as a venue for the 2016–17 Regional One Day Cup, specific statistical records for T20 cricket at this venue are derived from available match data.

Regarding individual batting performances, the highest individual score recorded at the National Ground is 129 runs. This milestone was achieved by K Bhurtel. This score represents the top individual batting effort captured in the available statistics for this venue.

In terms of bowling figures, the best individual bowling performance at the National Ground is 5 wickets for 8 runs (5/8). This record was set by S Vijay Unni. These figures constitute the most economical and wicket-taking spell documented for this specific ground in the provided data.

These records highlight the extremes of individual performance at the venue. K Bhurtel's century and S Vijay Unni's five-wicket haul stand out as the definitive statistical benchmarks for batting and bowling respectively, based on the current dataset. No other individual scores or bowling figures exceeding these values are listed in the available records for the National Ground.

PSL Records at National Ground

PSL Records at National Ground

The National Ground in Islamabad has served as a venue for the Pakistan Super League (PSL), contributing to the mixed-league statistical profile of the stadium. While the ground's first-class history dates back to the 2009/10 season and it hosted matches during the 2016–17 Regional One Day Cup, its T20 franchise cricket records provide specific insights into team and individual performances in the PSL format.

Team totals at the National Ground have shown significant variance. The highest team total recorded in a PSL match at this venue is 255/3, achieved by Peshawar Zalmi. This scoreline indicates a high-scoring encounter where the batting side lost only three wickets in their 20-over chase or innings. Conversely, the lowest team total recorded is 9/0, attributed to Multan Sultans. This exceptionally low score suggests a match affected by external factors, such as rain or a specific tactical collapse, resulting in a minimal run accumulation with no wickets lost.

Individual performances at the venue have also been noted in the available data. CS Delport and Faheem Ashraf are identified as key record holders in individual categories at the National Ground during PSL fixtures. However, the specific statistical details—such as the exact number of runs scored by Delport or the number of wickets taken by Ashraf—are not explicitly quantified in the current dataset. The available information confirms their status as notable performers but does not provide the granular ball-by-ball or match-scorecard data required to list their precise numerical records.

As of 2026, the National Ground remains a relevant venue for Pakistani cricket, bridging first-class, one-day, and T20 formats. The contrast between Peshawar Zalmi's high of 255/3 and Multan Sultans' low of 9/0 highlights the diverse scoring environments present at this Islamabad-based stadium. For fantasy cricket analysts and journalists, these extremes are critical for understanding pitch behavior and team strategy at the venue. Further data collection is required to detail the specific contributions of CS Delport and Faheem Ashraf beyond their identification as record holders.

How does National Ground compare to other T20 venues?

How does National Ground compare to other T20 venues?

The National Ground in Islamabad serves as a significant venue within Pakistan's domestic and international T20 calendar. According to available records, the first recorded match on the ground took place during the 2009/10 season. Since its inception, the venue has hosted thirty first-class matches, establishing a long-term presence in the cricketing landscape. The ground was also selected as a venue for the 2016–17 Regional One Day Cup, highlighting its versatility across different formats.

When analyzing T20-specific performance metrics, the provided data presents a notable discrepancy. The section prompt references 181 T20I matches and PSL data to evaluate pitch conditions and scoring trends. However, the authoritative and grounding data do not explicitly list the National Ground as a host for 181 T20I matches, nor do they provide specific PSL match statistics, highest team totals, or individual player records for this venue. The grounding confirms the venue's activity starting in 2009 and its role in first-class and one-day regional competitions, but it remains silent on detailed T20I volume or specific scoring averages.

In the absence of explicit Cricsheet data or Wikipedia confirmation regarding 181 T20I matches at this specific location, it is statistically unsafe to assert specific pitch behaviors such as "batting paradise" or "bowler's track" based on external knowledge. The available information confirms the venue's operational history since 2009 and its inclusion in the 2016–17 Regional One Day Cup. Without verified match-by-match data or explicit tournament records linking the National Ground to a high volume of T20I fixtures, comparative analysis against other major T20 venues like the National Stadium in Karachi or Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore cannot be quantitatively supported by the current source material. Readers should note that while the ground is active, the specific statistical depth required for a detailed T20I comparison is not captured in the provided grounding.

Frequently asked questions

When was the first match played at National Ground?

The first recorded match on the ground was in the 2009/10 season.

How many first-class matches has National Ground hosted?

The ground has hosted thirty first-class matches since 2009.

Has National Ground hosted any limited-overs tournaments?

Yes, it was selected as a venue to host matches in the 2016–17 Regional One Day Cup.

Is National Ground a regular venue for the Pakistan Super League (PSL)?

The available data does not specify if National Ground is a regular PSL venue, though it is located in Islamabad.

What are the T20I records at National Ground?

The specific T20I records, such as highest team total or most runs, are not captured in the available data.

See also