Dubai International Cricket Stadium is a T20I venue in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where the first match was played on 7 May 2009.

The stadium has hosted 119 matches through 31 January 2026, with Pakistan appearing most frequently (37 matches). It was a dedicated venue for the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, hosting the second semi-final and the final.

7he Sevens Stadium, Dubai. Photo: Rizwan Ullah Wazir / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0

Overview

The Dubai International Cricket Stadium, also known as the Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, is a multi-purpose venue in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is one of the three main cricket stadiums in the country, alongside the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The stadium has a seating capacity for 25,000 spectators, expandable to 30,000. It is part of the Dubai Sports City complex, designed by Canadian architect Awsam Matloob.

The venue has been a dedicated host for T20I cricket since 2009. As of January 31, 2026, 119 matches have been played at the stadium. The first match took place on May 7, 2009. The stadium was a key venue for the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, hosting Semi-Final 2 on November 11, 2021, and the final on November 15, 2021.

Pakistan is the most active team at the venue, having played 37 matches. The stadium has hosted a wide range of T20I contests over the period from 2009 to 2026. The pitch and conditions have produced diverse results, from high-scoring chases to low totals. The venue continues to be a prominent location for international T20 cricket in the UAE.

What is the highest team total at Dubai International Cricket Stadium?

The highest team total recorded at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is 211/3, achieved by Sri Lanka. This milestone was set during a T20I match against Pakistan on 13 December 2013. The score of 211 runs for the loss of three wickets remains the benchmark for batting performances at this venue, surpassing all other team totals in the stadium's history. The match took place during a period when the ground was already an established hub for international cricket, having hosted its first T20 match in 2009.

Contextualizing this record, the 211/3 total represents a significant accumulation of runs against the Pakistan bowling attack. The performance by Sri Lanka highlights the scoring potential of the pitch, which has seen a wide variance in team scores over the years. For comparison, the lowest team total at the same venue is 2/2, also by Sri Lanka, recorded much later on 26 September 2025. This contrast between the highest and lowest scores underscores the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket at this Dubai ground. The 211/3 total stands out as a peak performance in a dataset that includes 119 matches up to January 2026.

The record was set nearly a decade after the stadium's inaugural T20 match on 7 May 2009. By 2013, the venue had solidified its reputation as a key location for bilateral series and tournament games. The 211/3 score by Sri Lanka remains the definitive high-water mark for batting at this stadium. No other team has surpassed this total in the 119 matches played at the venue through 31 January 2026. The record reflects the specific conditions and match dynamics present on that December day in 2013, distinguishing it from other high-scoring encounters at the ground.

What is the lowest team total at Dubai International Cricket Stadium?

The lowest team total recorded at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is 2/2, achieved by Sri Lanka against India on 2025-09-26. This score represents one of the most extreme batting collapses in T20I history, occurring within the venue's 119-match history spanning from 2009-05-07 to 2026-01-31. The rarity of a two-run total highlights the volatility of T20I cricket at this ground, where scores can fluctuate dramatically between extremes.

Sri Lanka holds both the highest and lowest team total records at this venue, a statistical anomaly that emphasizes the team's varied performances across different T20I encounters. The 2/2 total against India in September 2025 remains the benchmark for the lowest score, a record that may endure given the high-scoring nature of modern T20I cricket. No other team has matched this low mark in the 119 matches played at the stadium.

Individual batting and bowling records

Individual batting and bowling records

Waseem Muhammad holds the record for the highest individual batting score at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. He scored 107 runs on 2021-10-10, establishing the benchmark for individual performances in T20I matches at this venue. This century remains the standout batting achievement among the 119 matches played at the ground between 2009 and 2026.

On the bowling front, Ishtiaq Ahmad recorded the best figures at the stadium. He took 5 wickets for 12 runs on 2024-12-15, showcasing exceptional efficiency on the pitch. These figures represent the most dominant individual bowling performance in the venue's T20I history, surpassing other notable spells recorded during the tournament cycles hosted in Dubai.

Team participation and venue profile

With 37 matches played, Pakistan stands as the most active team at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. This frequency highlights the venue's strategic importance in the T20I calendar, particularly for the host nation. The stadium has maintained a consistent schedule of international fixtures since its first match on 2009-05-07, continuing through to the most recent game on 2026-01-31. Over this period, the ground has hosted a total of 119 matches, solidifying its status as a premier cricket destination in the United Arab Emirates.

The Dubai International Stadium, also known as the Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, is one of three main cricket stadiums in the country, alongside the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Located within Dubai Sports City, the venue was designed by Canadian architect Awsam Matloob. It features a seating capacity for 25,000 spectators, with the ability to expand to accommodate 30,000. This infrastructure supports its role as a key host for major tournaments, including the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup.

During the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, the stadium served as a dedicated venue for critical stages of the competition. It hosted semi-final 2 on November 11, 2021, and the final on November 15, 2021. These high-profile matches underscore the ground's capability to handle elite T20I contests. The consistent hosting of such fixtures between 2009 and 2026 reflects the venue's reliability and central role in the global T20I landscape.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest team total at Dubai International Cricket Stadium?

The highest team total is 211/3 by Sri Lanka on 13 December 2013.

What is the lowest team total at Dubai International Cricket Stadium?

The lowest team total is 2/2 by Sri Lanka on 26 September 2025.

Who holds the highest individual batting score at Dubai International Cricket Stadium?

Waseem Muhammad scored the highest individual batting score of 107 on 10 October 2021.

What are the best bowling figures at Dubai International Cricket Stadium?

Ishtiaq Ahmad recorded the best bowling figures of 5/12 on 15 December 2024.

Which team has played the most matches at Dubai International Cricket Stadium?

Pakistan is the most active team, having played 37 matches at the venue.

Summary

Dubai International Cricket Stadium has hosted 119 T20I matches since 7 May 2009, with the most recent match on 31 January 2026. Pakistan has played the most matches (37), while Sri Lanka holds the records for both the highest team total (211/3) and the lowest team total (2/2).

See also