The ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai has hosted 88 T20I matches since 2013, making it a key venue for international cricket in the United Arab Emirates.
Located in Dubai Sports City, the academy opened in 2009 and has recorded a highest team total of 246/4 and a highest individual score of 120 runs.
Overview
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 was opened in 2009 under Rod Marsh, who was appointed as Director.
The ground serves as a host for T20I matches. The first T20 match at the venue took place on 2013-03-15. As of 2025-07-13, the venue has hosted 88 matches. The most recent match date is 2025-07-13.
Venue Profile
Located in Dubai Sports City, the facility operates under the administration of the International Cricket Council. Opened in 2009, the academy was initially directed by Rod Marsh. The complex features extensive infrastructure designed for high-performance training and match play, including two floodlit ovals and a total of 38 natural turf pitches. Indoor training is supported by six dedicated indoor pitches and a 5,700 square foot conditioning area. Advanced technology integration includes Hawk Eye systems and a comprehensive gymnasium to support athlete development.
The venue has established itself as a significant host for T20I cricket, with 88 matches recorded in the Cricsheet database. The first match took place on 15 March 2013, and the most recent fixture occurred on 13 July 2025. The United Arab Emirates is the most active team at the ground, having played 15 matches. The highest team total recorded is 246/4, achieved by Bulgaria on 26 June 2022. In contrast, the lowest team total is 29/2, set by the United Arab Emirates on 15 March 2019.
Individual performances at the academy include a highest batting score of 120 by Muhammad Fahad on 12 July 2025. The best bowling figures are 5/4, recorded by Khizar Hayat on 20 February 2020. The facility has also hosted major tournament events, including the 2014 U-19 World Cup and the 2012 World T20 Qualifier. These records reflect the venue's role in both developmental cricket and international T20I fixtures.
T20I Match History
T20I Match History
The ICC Global Cricket Academy has hosted 88 T20I matches according to Cricsheet records. The venue's T20I history spans from the inaugural match on 2013-03-15 through the most recent fixture on 2025-07-13. This period covers more than a decade of international cricket, establishing the ground as a consistent stop for touring sides and home teams alike.
The academy also serves as a key training and hosting ground for other major cricketing nations. Teams that utilize the facility include Pakistan, South Africa, Australia, and Sri Lanka. These franchises and national sides leverage the Dubai location for preparation and competitive fixtures.
Statistical extremes at the venue highlight the varying conditions and team strengths over the years. These figures demonstrate the range of scoring environments present at the academy.
Individual performances have also reached notable milestones. Muhammad Fahad scored the highest individual batting score of 120 on 2025-07-12. These records stand as benchmarks for players competing at the venue.
What are the team records at the ICC Global Cricket Academy?
Team performance metrics at the ICC Global Cricket Academy reveal significant variance in scoring outputs across its 88 recorded T20I encounters. This scoreline represents the ceiling of batting dominance observed in the dataset, highlighting the pitch's capacity to support high-scoring chases or dominant first-inning displays depending on conditions.
This figure underscores the potential for batting collapses or strategic low-scoring games, particularly in the earlier years of the venue's T20I history. The gap between the highest and lowest totals illustrates the diverse tactical approaches teams have employed at the Dubai facility.
United Arab Emirates remains the most active franchise at the venue, having contested 15 matches. As the host nation, UAE teams have utilized the ground extensively, contributing to the statistical depth of the dataset. The frequency of UAE appearances provides a robust sample size for evaluating team consistency and performance trends over time.
Who holds the individual batting and bowling records?
Who holds the individual batting and bowling records?
Individual performances at the ICC Global Cricket Academy have produced significant statistical milestones across batting and bowling disciplines. The highest individual score recorded at the venue is 120 runs, achieved by Muhammad Fahad. This century was scored on 2025-07-12, marking a notable high-water mark for individual batting output in T20I matches held at the Dubai facility. Fahad's innings stands as the benchmark for batting excellence at the ground, reflecting the scoring potential available to top-order batsmen under specific pitch and weather conditions.
On the bowling front, the best figures recorded at the academy are 5 wickets for 4 runs. These exceptional bowling statistics were delivered by Khizar Hayat on 2020-02-20. Hayat's performance represents the most dominant individual bowling spell in the venue's T20I history, highlighting the ability of bowlers to exploit the conditions to restrict scoring while taking wickets. The combination of five wickets and a mere four runs concedes underscores the efficiency required to dominate a T20I innings at this location.
These individual records define the extremes of player performance at the ICC Academy. The contrast between Fahad's 120-run chase and Hayat's 5/4 spell illustrates the varying demands placed on players competing in Dubai. Analysts and fantasy cricket players often reference these benchmarks when evaluating player form and potential impact in upcoming fixtures at the venue. The data confirms that both explosive batting and precise bowling can yield record-breaking results at this T20I host.
How does the ICC Academy compare to other T20I venues?
The ICC Global Cricket Academy operates with a structural model distinct from traditional T20I stadiums. Located in Dubai Sports City, the facility is managed by the International Cricket Council and opened in 2009. Unlike single-pitch venues, the academy features 38 natural turf pitches, allowing for simultaneous matches and varied surface conditions. This infrastructure supports a diverse range of teams, including Bulgaria, Serbia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the USA.
Hosting 88 T20I matches since 2013, the venue serves as a hub for both established and emerging nations. The first match took place on 2013-03-15, with the most recent recorded on 2025-07-13. This long-term usage highlights the academy's role in expanding the T20I calendar beyond traditional cricket powerhouses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest team total at the ICC Global Cricket Academy?
Bulgaria scored 246/4 on 2022-06-26.
What is the lowest team total at the ICC Global Cricket Academy?
United Arab Emirates scored 29/2 on 2019-03-15.
Who holds the highest individual batting score at the venue?
Muhammad Fahad scored 120 runs on 2025-07-12.
Who holds the best bowling figures at the venue?
Khizar Hayat took 5/4 on 2020-02-20.
Which team has played the most matches at the ICC Global Cricket Academy?
United Arab Emirates has played 15 matches at the venue.