ICC Academy is a cricket venue in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, that has served as a host for T20 International (T20I) matches since 2013.
Managed by the International Cricket Council, the academy is located in Dubai Sports City and was opened in 2009.
Overview
The ICC Academy is a cricket venue located in Dubai Sports City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The facility is managed and administered by the International Cricket Council. It opened in 2009 under the directorship of Rod Marsh. The ground serves as a host for T20I matches and other international cricket events.
Venue Profile and Facilities
The ICC Academy is a cricket facility located in Dubai Sports City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The venue is managed and administered by the International Cricket Council. It opened in 2009 under the direction of Rod Marsh, who was appointed as Director.
The academy features extensive infrastructure designed for cricket training and matches. Facilities include two floodlit ovals, 38 turf pitches, and six indoor pitches. The conditioning area spans 5,700 square feet. The venue is equipped with Hawk Eye technology and a dedicated gym.
The ICC Academy has hosted significant international tournaments. It was used for the 2014 U-19 World Cup and the World T20 Qualifier in 2012. The venue also serves as a host for T20I matches, with the first T20 match recorded in 2013.
T20I Match History
The ICC Academy in Dubai has established itself as a significant venue for Twenty20 International cricket. According to Cricsheet data, 88 T20I matches have been contested at this ground. The match history spans from the first recorded game on 2013-03-15 through to the most recent fixture on 2025-07-13. This period covers over a decade of international competition, highlighting the venue's consistent usage by the International Cricket Council and various touring sides.
The venue is located in Dubai Sports City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is managed and administered by the International Cricket Council. The academy was opened in 2009. Rod Marsh was appointed as the Director at the time of its opening. The facility serves as a key hub for cricket development and international fixtures in the Middle East.
While the total number of matches is well-documented, specific statistical records for individual players or teams at this venue are not fully detailed in the available data. The highest team total, lowest team total, and highest individual scores are not explicitly captured in the provided Cricsheet summary for this specific section. Consequently, detailed head-to-head matchups or player-specific milestones cannot be enumerated without further granular ball-by-ball data.
The concentration of matches over this timeframe indicates the ICC Academy's role as a primary host for T20I games in the region. The venue has facilitated numerous contests between major cricketing nations, contributing to the growth of the T20I format in the United Arab Emirates. The data confirms the venue's operational continuity and its importance in the international cricket calendar between 2013 and 2025.
What is the highest team total at the ICC Academy in T20Is?
Highest and Lowest Team Totals at ICC Academy in T20Is
The ICC Academy in Dubai has hosted a variety of T20 International (T20I) matches since its first T20 fixture in 2013. The venue has recorded significant statistical extremes in team scoring, reflecting the diverse competitive levels of the teams that have played there.
The highest team total recorded at the ICC Academy in T20I cricket is 246/4. This score was achieved by Bulgaria against Serbia on 26 June 2022. This match highlights the scoring potential at the venue, particularly in matchups involving emerging T20I nations.
In contrast, the lowest team total recorded at the venue is 29/2. This score was posted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) against the United States of America (USA) on 15 March 2019. This low score indicates a dominant bowling performance or a challenging batting condition during that specific encounter.
These records—246/4 by Bulgaria and 29/2 by UAE—represent the current statistical boundaries for team totals at the ICC Academy in T20I matches based on available data. The venue continues to be a key location for T20I fixtures, particularly for associate nations and league competitions hosted in the United Arab Emirates.
Who holds the individual batting and bowling records at the ICC Academy?
Individual Batting and Bowling Records at ICC Academy
The ICC Academy in Dubai has hosted T20I matches since 2013, providing a venue for various international teams. Statistical records for individual performances at this ground highlight specific milestones achieved by players across different eras of T20 cricket.
The highest individual score recorded at the ICC Academy is 120 runs. This batting achievement was set by Muhammad Fahad of Turkey on 12 July 2025. This score represents the top individual total in the available data for this venue.
On the bowling front, the best figures recorded at the ICC Academy are 5 wickets for 4 runs. These figures were achieved by Khizar Hayat on 20 February 2020. This performance stands as the best individual bowling record for the venue in the current dataset.
These records reflect the statistical extremes observed at the Dubai venue. The data captures specific match performances that define the individual benchmarks for batting and bowling at the ICC Academy.
Teams Using the Academy
The ICC Academy in Dubai serves as a significant training hub for several international cricket teams. According to available records, the national teams that utilize the academy as a training ground include the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, South Africa, Australia, and Sri Lanka.
The venue has also hosted international T20 matches. The first T20 match at the ICC Academy took place in 2013. This marks the beginning of the stadium's role in competitive T20I cricket, providing a neutral venue for teams to test their strategies and players in a T20I setting.
As a training facility, the ICC Academy offers world-class infrastructure for teams preparing for major tournaments. The presence of multiple national teams, including Pakistan, South Africa, Australia, and Sri Lanka, highlights the academy's importance in the global cricket calendar. The United Arab Emirates, as the host nation, also makes frequent use of the facility.
While the ICC Academy is primarily known as a training ground, its role in hosting T20I matches adds to its significance. The 2013 debut of T20I cricket at the venue underscores its versatility and capacity to accommodate international standards of play. Teams visiting Dubai for training often take advantage of the familiar conditions, which can be crucial for performance in T20I matches.
The availability of the ICC Academy as a training ground for such a diverse range of teams reflects its strategic location and high-quality facilities. For teams like Pakistan, South Africa, Australia, and Sri Lanka, the academy provides an ideal environment for preparation, allowing players to acclimatize to the conditions and refine their skills ahead of key T20I fixtures.
Frequently asked questions
When was the first T20I match played at the ICC Academy?
The first T20 International match at the ICC Academy took place in 2013.
Where is the ICC Academy located?
The venue is situated in Dubai Sports City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Which league or format is primarily associated with the ICC Academy's T20 history?
The ICC Academy is a venue for T20 International (T20I) matches.
Who manages the ICC Academy?
The academy is managed and administered by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
When did the ICC Academy open?
The ICC Academy opened in 2009.