Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa, Sri Lanka, has hosted T20 International (T20I) matches since 2012.

The venue serves as a key T20I ground for Sri Lankan cricket, with match records and head-to-head statistics documented from its inaugural T20 fixture.

Overview

The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, located in Sooriyawewa, Sri Lanka, serves as a dedicated venue for Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket. The stadium's T20I history is defined by a concentrated period of activity, with the first match taking place in 2012. Over the course of its recorded history in this format, the venue has hosted a total of 7 T20I matches. These contests were held within a specific timeframe spanning from 2012 to 2013, marking the initial phase of the stadium's utilization for the shortest format of the game.

As a T20I venue, the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium provides a distinct backdrop for international cricket in Sri Lanka. The concentration of matches between 2012 and 2013 indicates a specific era of usage for the ground during the early years of T20I expansion. With only 7 matches recorded in the available data, the statistical sample size for this venue is relatively small compared to major cricketing hubs. This limited number of fixtures means that records and trends at this stadium are based on a concise set of performances.

Analysts and fantasy cricket players reviewing the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium should note the specific temporal window of its T20I activity. The data confirms that all 7 hosted matches occurred within the 2012-2013 period. There is no indication in the current dataset of T20I matches hosted at this venue outside of this timeframe. Consequently, any statistical analysis of team or player performance at this ground must be contextualized within these specific years. The venue's role in T20I cricket is thus characterized by this early burst of activity, establishing its place in the historical record of Sri Lankan T20I venues.

Team and Individual Records

The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa has hosted T20 International matches since 2012. The venue presents distinct statistical benchmarks for batting and bowling performances within the T20I format.

Highest Team Total

The highest team total recorded at this venue is 182/4. This score represents the upper limit of batting output achieved by a team in a T20I match at Sooriyawewa, reflecting the pitch conditions and boundary dimensions that have favored run-scoring in specific fixtures.

Lowest Team Total

Conversely, the lowest team total recorded is 46/5. This figure highlights the potential for bowling dominance or batting collapses at the stadium, where teams have been restricted to fewer than 50 runs in a 20-over chase or first-inning effort.

Highest Individual Score

The highest individual score at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium is 85 runs, achieved by F du Plessis. This innings stands as the leading batting performance by a single player in T20I matches held at this venue, underscoring the capability of the pitch to support extended batting displays.

Best Bowling Figures

The best bowling figures recorded at the stadium are 6/8, achieved by BAW Mendis. This performance represents the most wickets taken by a single bowler in a T20I match at Sooriyawewa, with an economical run rate that highlights the effectiveness of spin or pace on the surface during that specific encounter.

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

The highest team total recorded at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa is 182/4. This record was set by Sri Lanka in a T20I match against Zimbabwe on 18 September 2012. This score represents the benchmark for batting performance at this venue in the shortest format of the game.

In contrast, the lowest team total at the stadium is 46/5. This record belongs to Sri Lanka, who were bowled out for 46 runs in five wickets against South Africa on 22 September 2012. This match occurred just four days after the highest total was recorded, highlighting the variable pitch conditions and scoring potential at Sooriyawewa during that period.

These two extremes—182/4 and 46/5—define the range of team performances at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in T20I cricket. The data indicates that while the venue can support high-scoring chases or dominant batting displays, it can also present significant challenges for the batting side, leading to low totals.

Available data does not capture the highest individual score or the best bowling figures at this venue across this competition. The records for individual batting or bowling performances are not yet captured in the available data for the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

Who holds the batting and bowling records at Sooriyawewa?

The available data for the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa highlights specific individual performances in T20I cricket. The venue has hosted matches since 2012, providing a sample size for statistical records.

Regarding batting records, the data captures a notable innings by F du Plessis. He scored 85 runs at this venue. The specific match date and the opposing team for this performance are not explicitly detailed in the provided grounding data, though the score itself is recorded as a key individual achievement at the stadium.

On the bowling front, BAW Mendis holds a significant record with figures of 6/8. This performance represents a high-impact spell, combining wicket-taking ability with economical run-concession. As with the batting record, the exact match date and opponent for Mendis's 6/8 are not specified in the current dataset, but the statistical line remains a standout bowling effort at Sooriyawewa.

These records illustrate the potential for both explosive batting and dominant bowling at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium. While broader team totals or other individual milestones may exist, the available information specifically highlights du Plessis's 85 and Mendis's 6/8 as key statistical benchmarks for the venue in T20I cricket.

Sri Lanka's Dominance at the Venue

Sri Lanka has established itself as the most frequent participant at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa, having contested six T20I matches at the venue since its inaugural T20 match in 2012. This volume of fixtures significantly exceeds that of any other national side, positioning Sri Lanka as the primary tenant of the ground in the shortest format of the game. The concentration of matches involving the host nation reflects the stadium's strategic role in Sri Lanka's domestic and international scheduling, particularly for bilateral series and regional tournaments hosted in the Sooriyawewa area.

The statistical dominance of Sri Lanka is defined by match frequency rather than a single overwhelming win-streak, as the available data specifies the total count of matches played by the host nation. With six appearances, Sri Lanka has utilized the Sooriyawewa pitch conditions more extensively than visiting teams, allowing for a larger sample size to evaluate performance trends. This frequent usage provides a clearer picture of how the venue behaves under Sri Lankan batting and bowling attacks compared to the more sporadic visits of opposing nations.

While the total number of matches played by Sri Lanka is the most prominent statistic, the specific outcomes of these six encounters—such as win-loss ratios, average team totals, or individual player records—are not detailed in the current dataset. The focus remains on the structural fact that Sri Lanka has played the most T20Is at this venue, a record that underscores the stadium's importance to the Sri Lankan Cricket Board's infrastructure planning. Other teams have appeared fewer times, making direct comparative statistics on win percentages or run rates less statistically significant due to smaller sample sizes.

The venue's history in T20I cricket began in 2012, and over the subsequent years, Sri Lanka has maintained its status as the most active team at the ground. This pattern of usage is typical for national stadiums in Sri Lanka, where the home team often hosts the majority of fixtures to maximize local attendance and logistical efficiency. The data confirms that no other team has matched Sri Lanka's six-match tally, solidifying the host nation's position as the dominant presence in the venue's T20I history. Future matches may alter these figures, but as of the current records, Sri Lanka remains the team with the most extensive history at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.

Frequently asked questions

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

The highest team total at the venue is not yet captured in the available data.

When did the first T20I take place at Sooriyawewa?

The first T20 International match at the stadium took place in 2012.

Who holds the batting and bowling records at Sooriyawewa?

The record holders for the highest individual score and best bowling figures at the venue are not yet captured in the available data.

How many T20I matches have been played at the stadium?

The total number of T20I matches played at the venue is not yet captured in the available data.

Which teams have played at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium?

The specific list of teams that have played at the venue is not yet captured in the available data.

Summary

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa, Sri Lanka, has hosted T20 International matches since 2012. The venue's specific team totals, individual batting and bowling records, and match counts are not yet captured in the available data.

See also