The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa has hosted a compact but statistically significant run of T20I matches, defined by extreme scoring variances and standout individual performances.

Between 2012 and 2013, the venue recorded seven matches where Sri Lanka dominated as the most active team, producing both the highest and lowest team totals in its brief hosting history.

Overview

The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa, Sri Lanka, has hosted a concentrated series of T20I encounters. The venue's T20I history spans from its inaugural match on 2012-06-01 through to the most recent fixture recorded on 2013-08-06. During this period, a total of 7 matches were contested at the ground, establishing a specific statistical profile for the Sooriyawewa pitch. Sri Lanka has been the most active team at the venue, featuring in 6 of the 7 matches, highlighting the stadium's role as a key domestic hub for the national side during the early 2010s.

What are the team batting records at PBB Rajapaksa?

Team batting performances at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium have shown significant variance across the seven T20I matches played there. The highest team total recorded at this venue is 182/4, achieved by Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe on 2012-09-18. This score represents the peak offensive output in the stadium's T20I history, setting a benchmark for chasing teams in Sooriyawewa.

In contrast, the lowest team total at the venue is 46/5, also recorded by Sri Lanka. This low score occurred during a match against South Africa on 2012-09-22. The difference between the highest and lowest totals highlights the fluctuating pitch conditions and match dynamics experienced during the venue's hosting period between 2012 and 2013.

Individual batting and bowling milestones

Individual batting and bowling milestones

The highest individual batting performance recorded at this venue belongs to F du Plessis. On 2013-08-06, he scored 85 runs, establishing the benchmark for individual contributions in the seven matches played so far. This innings stands as the most significant batting display among the limited T20I fixtures hosted at Sooriyawewa.

On the bowling front, BAW Mendis delivered the best figures at the stadium. On 2012-09-18, he claimed 6 wickets for just 8 runs. This exceptional spell coincided with the match where Sri Lanka posted their highest team total of 182/4, highlighting the impact of individual brilliance on the overall team performance. Mendis's figures remain the most dominant bowling achievement in the venue's T20I history.

Match history and hosting patterns

The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa has hosted a concentrated series of T20I encounters, with all seven recorded matches taking place within a narrow two-year window. The venue opened its T20I ledger on 2012-06-01, marking the beginning of its usage for the format. Following this inaugural contest, the stadium saw further activity later in the same year, establishing itself as a viable option for Sri Lankan cricket during the summer months.

Match frequency at the venue peaked in the latter half of 2012 and extended into mid-2013. The data indicates that Sri Lanka was the most active team at this ground, participating in six of the seven total matches. This dominance highlights the stadium's role primarily as a home venue for the host nation during this specific period. The last recorded T20I at the location occurred on 2013-08-06, after which the venue's T20I hosting schedule appears to have slowed significantly based on the available match count.

The span between the first match on 2012-06-01 and the most recent on 2013-08-06 covers just over 14 months of active T20I play. This short burst of activity contrasts with other major T20I venues that often see matches spread across multiple seasons or decades. The concentration of games in 2012 and 2013 suggests a strategic decision to utilize the Sooriyawewa ground during those specific years, possibly to test the pitch conditions or to distribute the home schedule for the Sri Lankan team.

With only seven matches in total, the statistical sample size for the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium remains small. This limited number of fixtures means that records set here, such as the highest team total or best bowling figures, are based on a relatively brief period of competition. The venue's T20I history is thus defined by this specific era of 2012 and 2013, providing a snapshot of the stadium's performance during its most active phase for the shortest format of the game.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest team total at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium?

The highest team total is 182/4, scored by Sri Lanka on 18 September 2012.

What is the lowest team total recorded at this venue?

The lowest team total is 46/5, also scored by Sri Lanka on 22 September 2012.

Who holds the record for the highest individual batting score at this stadium?

F du Plessis holds the record with a score of 85 on 6 August 2013.

What are the best bowling figures at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium?

The best bowling figures are 6/8, achieved by BAW Mendis on 18 September 2012.

Which team has played the most matches at this venue?

Sri Lanka is the most active team, having played 6 of the 7 total matches.

Summary

The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium hosted 7 T20I matches between 1 June 2012 and 6 August 2013. The venue's records include a highest team total of 182/4 by Sri Lanka and a lowest team total of 46/5 by Sri Lanka.

Individual milestones at the ground feature F du Plessis's highest score of 85 and BAW Mendis's best bowling figures of 6/8. Sri Lanka remains the most frequent participant with 6 matches played.

See also