National Stadium, Karachi is an international cricket ground in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, and serves as the home venue for the Karachi Kings franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Owned by the Pakistan Cricket Board, the stadium has a capacity of 30,000 and is a key venue for domestic and international T20 cricket in Pakistan.

National Stadium, Karachi. Photo: Stemoc / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Overview

The National Stadium, officially designated as the National Bank Stadium, is an international cricket ground located in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. The venue is owned by the Pakistan Cricket Board and serves as the primary home ground for the Karachi Kings franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), as well as for various domestic cricket teams representing the province of Sindh.

The stadium has undergone significant structural and branding updates in recent years. In 2022, the venue was renamed the National Bank Cricket Arena. Subsequent renovations completed in 2025 increased the stadium's seating capacity to 30,000 spectators, enhancing its status as a key venue for both domestic and international T20 cricket in Pakistan.

What are the T20I records at National Stadium Karachi?

T20I Records at National Stadium, Karachi

The National Stadium in Karachi has hosted significant T20 International (T20I) matches, producing notable statistical milestones for teams and players. The venue's T20I record book features extreme scoring performances and dominant batting partnerships.

The highest team total recorded in a T20I at the National Stadium is 221/3, achieved by England in 2022. This score highlights the venue's potential for high-scoring encounters under specific pitch and weather conditions. Conversely, the lowest team total in T20I history at this ground is 60/9, posted by the West Indies in 2018. This low score reflects a dominant bowling performance and challenging batting conditions during that match.

Individual batting records at the venue are also defined by performances in 2022. The highest individual score in a T20I at the National Stadium is 110 not out, scored by Babar Azam in 2022. This century demonstrates the capability of top-order batsmen to capitalize on the pitch. Additionally, the highest partnership in T20I matches at this stadium is 203 not out, shared by Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in 2022. This partnership was a key component of England's high-scoring victory, showcasing the strength of the opening or top-order combination during that series.

These records underscore the National Stadium's role as a competitive venue for T20 Internationals, hosting both high-scoring chases and low-scoring thrillers. The data from 2018 and 2022 provides a clear snapshot of the statistical extremes observed at this Karachi ground.

PSL and ODI Statistics

The National Stadium in Karachi serves as the home ground for the Karachi Kings franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The venue has hosted a diverse range of international and domestic cricket matches, with statistical records spanning multiple formats.

PSL Records

Statistical data for the Pakistan Super League at this venue highlights significant performances in both batting and bowling categories. The highest team total recorded in a PSL match at the National Stadium is 255/3, achieved by Peshawar Zalmi in 2026. Conversely, the lowest team total is 9/0, set by Multan Sultans in 2020.

Individual records for the PSL at this ground include the highest individual score of 117 runs, scored by CS Delport in 2019. The best bowling figures are attributed to Faheem Ashraf, who took 6 wickets for 19 runs in a match in 2019.

ODI Records

The venue also holds notable records in One Day International (ODI) cricket. The highest team total in an ODI match at the National Stadium is 374/4, scored by India in 2008. The highest successful chase in an ODI at this venue is 355/4, achieved by Pakistan in 2025.

In terms of individual batting achievements in ODIs, the highest individual score is 181 runs, scored by Viv Richards in 1987. These statistics reflect the venue's long-standing history in hosting high-scoring encounters across different eras of cricket.

Historical Significance and Renovation

The National Stadium, officially designated as the National Bank Stadium, is an international cricket venue located in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. The ground is owned by the Pakistan Cricket Board and serves as the primary home ground for the Karachi Kings franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), alongside various domestic cricket teams from the province of Sindh.

The venue has a long history in the format, with the first T20 match recorded at the stadium in 1955. It has historically functioned as a significant fortress for the Pakistan national team across formats, including Test cricket. International cricket returned to the venue in 2018, marking a key phase in its modern usage.

A major renovation project was undertaken during the 2024-25 period to prepare the stadium for the ICC Champions Trophy. This upgrade included the installation of new LED floodlights and an increase in stadium capacity. The capacity was expanded from 28,000 to 30,000 spectators, enhancing the venue's infrastructure for international fixtures.

How does National Stadium compare to other PSL venues?

The National Stadium in Karachi serves as the primary home ground for the Karachi Kings franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). As one of the key venues in the PSL circuit, it shares the league's geographic spread with other major grounds in Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi. The stadium, with a capacity of 30,000, has hosted significant PSL fixtures, including the 2018 PSL final.

Statistical analysis of PSL matches at the National Stadium reveals a wide variance in team totals, indicating the venue's adaptability to different batting conditions. The highest team total recorded at this venue in the PSL is 255/3. Conversely, the lowest team total is 9/0. This contrast between the highest and lowest scores highlights the fluctuating nature of T20 cricket at the ground, where pitches can range from highly batting-friendly to exceptionally challenging for the openers.

When comparing the National Stadium to other PSL venues, the specific statistical extremes of 255/3 and 9/0 provide a baseline for evaluating pitch behavior relative to grounds in Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi. While the 2018 PSL final underscores the venue's prestige within the league, the available data focuses on these team total records to define its statistical profile. The venue's role as a host for major PSL events, combined with these record totals, establishes its significance in the league's historical data. Detailed player-specific records or further comparative statistics with other PSL grounds are not captured in the current dataset.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capacity of the National Stadium in Karachi?

The National Stadium, Karachi has a seating capacity of 30,000 spectators.

Which PSL team plays its home matches at the National Stadium?

The Karachi Kings franchise uses the National Stadium as its home ground in the Pakistan Super League.

Who owns the National Stadium in Karachi?

The stadium is owned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

What is the official name of the National Stadium, Karachi?

The venue is officially known as the National Bank Stadium.

Is the National Stadium used for domestic cricket?

Yes, it serves as the home ground for various domestic cricket teams representing the province of Sindh.

Summary

The National Stadium in Karachi is a 30,000-capacity cricket ground owned by the Pakistan Cricket Board. It is the designated home venue for the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League and hosts domestic Sindh teams.

See also