Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka, is a T20I venue that has hosted international limited-overs cricket since 2011.
The stadium, which has a capacity of 35,000, is owned by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board and is located approximately 15 km east of Kandy along the A26 highway.
Overview
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is a prominent cricket venue located in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Situated approximately 15 km (9.3 mi) east of the city center along the A26 highway, the ground is owned by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. The stadium has a seating capacity of 35,000 spectators, making it one of the larger venues in the Sri Lankan cricketing landscape.
The stadium officially opened on 27 November 2009. It gained significant historical status in December 2010 when it became the 104th ground to host Test cricket. While the venue has hosted various formats of the game since its inception, its role in the Twenty20 International (T20I) format began later. The first T20I match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was played in 2011, marking the start of its tenure as a key venue for the shortest international format in Sri Lanka.
As a dedicated cricket facility, the stadium serves as a home ground for the Sri Lankan national team and has been a regular fixture in domestic and international scheduling. The venue's location near Kandy provides accessibility for fans and teams traveling through the central province of Sri Lanka. With its substantial capacity and modern infrastructure, Pallekele has contributed significantly to the growth of T20 cricket in the region since its debut in the format over a decade ago.
Venue Profile
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is a cricket venue located in Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is situated approximately 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Kandy along the A26 highway. The stadium is owned by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board and has a seating capacity of 35,000 spectators. The ground officially opened on 27 November 2009. It gained further historical significance when it became the 104th ground to host Test cricket in December 2010. While the venue has hosted various international formats, the available data for this specific article focuses on its T20I records. The stadium hosted its first T20 match in 2011. Specific details regarding the construction cost of the stadium are not captured in the available data. Similarly, specific references to World Cup hosting events or other tournament milestones are not explicitly detailed in the provided source material for this section. The venue serves as a key cricketing hub in the central province of Sri Lanka, contributing to the nation's infrastructure for international cricket. As of the current data, the stadium continues to be a prominent venue for T20I matches, with its capacity allowing for significant crowd engagement during international fixtures. The location along the A26 highway provides accessibility for fans traveling from Kandy and surrounding areas. The ownership by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board ensures its integration into the national scheduling for both home and away series. The transition from its opening in 2009 to hosting its first T20 match in 2011 marks the early phase of its usage in the shortest format of the game. No further historical context regarding specific matches or player performances is available in the current grounding data for this venue profile section.
T20I Records and Statistics
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, located in Kandy, Sri Lanka, has hosted T20 International matches since 2011. The venue, which has a capacity of 35,000, is owned by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. It is situated approximately 15 km east of Kandy along the A26 highway. The stadium originally opened on 27 November 2009 and later became the 104th ground to host Test cricket in December 2010.
Statistical records for T20 Internationals at Pallekele highlight significant variations in team performances. The highest team total recorded at this venue is 263/3. In contrast, the lowest team total is 2/2, indicating a substantial range in scoring potential depending on pitch conditions and opposition quality.
Individual batting records at the stadium are anchored by a score of 145 runs, achieved by GJ Maxwell. This performance stands as the highest individual score in T20I matches played at Pallekele according to available data.
On the bowling front, the best figures recorded at the venue are 7/16, achieved by BAW Mendis. These statistics reflect the impact of spin and pace variations on the Kandy pitch during T20I fixtures.
Notable T20I Matches and Milestones
Notable T20I Matches and Milestones
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, located in Kandy, Sri Lanka, has served as a prominent venue for Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket since its first match in 2011. The stadium, which has a capacity of 35,000, is owned by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board and opened on 27 November 2009. While the ground became the 104th venue to host Test cricket in December 2010, its T20I history is defined by specific high-impact performances and tournament milestones.
One of the most statistically significant individual achievements at the venue involves Sri Lankan pace bowler Lasith Malinga. The available data confirms Malinga’s record of taking four wickets in four consecutive balls during a T20I match at Pallekele. This rare feat highlights the pitch’s ability to assist fast bowlers, particularly under specific lighting or dew conditions common in Sri Lankan T20I fixtures.
Another notable individual performance recorded at this stadium is Glenn Maxwell’s score of 145 runs. This innings stands out as a high-scoring outlier in T20I history, demonstrating the venue’s potential for high run-rates when the pitch favors batsmen. Maxwell’s 145 remains a key reference point for batting records at Pallekele.
Regarding tournament hosting, the stadium has been a key venue for T20I competitions in 2012 and is scheduled to host matches in 2026. The 2012 season marked an early period of T20I consolidation for Sri Lanka at this ground, while the 2026 fixtures indicate its continued relevance in the international T20I calendar. These years frame the stadium’s usage patterns, showing consistent selection for bilateral series and multi-team tournaments.
Available data does not capture the highest team total or lowest team total at Pallekele for T20I matches. Similarly, specific head-to-head records between teams at this venue are not detailed in the current dataset. The stadium’s location, approximately 15 km east of Kandy along the A26 highway, provides a distinct geographic context for its T20I history, but further statistical depth requires additional match-by-match data.
What is the highest team total at Pallekele in T20Is?
Highest Team Total at Pallekele in T20Is
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, located in Kandy, Sri Lanka, has hosted Twenty20 International (T20I) matches since 2011. The venue, which has a seating capacity of 35,000, is owned by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. Regarding the highest team total record in T20Is at this ground, the available data identifies Australia as the record-holding team.
However, the specific numerical value of this highest score, the date of the match, and the opposing team are not explicitly detailed in the provided source material. Consequently, while Australia holds the distinction for the highest team total at Pallekele in T20I cricket, the exact run aggregate remains uncaptured in the current dataset. Analysts and fans seeking the precise scorecard details, such as the number of wickets lost or the number of overs faced, must refer to comprehensive ball-by-ball databases, as the current grounding does not provide these granular statistics.
The stadium opened on 27 November 2009 and became the 104th ground to host Test cricket in December 2010. Its location approximately 15 km east of Kandy along the A26 highway has made it a key venue for Sri Lankan cricket. Despite its long history of hosting international fixtures, the specific record for the highest T20I team total by Australia at this venue lacks the detailed numerical breakdown in the current source. This highlights the importance of verifying specific statistical claims against primary data sources, as general venue information does not always include detailed match records for every competition format.
Who holds the best bowling figures at Pallekele in T20Is?
Best Bowling Figures at Pallekele in T20Is
The best bowling figures recorded at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in T20 International cricket are held by BAW Mendis. According to the available data, Mendis stands out as the leading bowler in terms of performance metrics at this venue. The stadium, located in Kandy, Sri Lanka, has hosted T20I matches since 2011, providing a significant sample size for statistical analysis. With a capacity of 35,000 spectators, the ground offers a distinct environment for bowlers, particularly spinners and swing bowlers, depending on the pitch conditions and weather.
BAW Mendis's record represents the pinnacle of individual bowling achievement at this specific ground within the T20I format. While the exact numerical details of the figures (such as wickets taken, runs conceded, and overs bowled) are not explicitly detailed in the current grounding data, Mendis is identified as the holder of this record. This distinction highlights his effectiveness on the Pallekele surface compared to other international bowlers who have played there since the venue's first T20I match in 2011.
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium opened on 27 November 2009 and became the 104th ground to host Test cricket in December 2010. Its transition to a prominent T20I venue has allowed players like Mendis to establish records that define the bowling standards at the ground. For analysts and fantasy cricket players, identifying Mendis as the record holder for best bowling figures provides a key data point when evaluating bowler performance at this Kandy-based venue. The lack of specific numerical breakdown in the current data set means that while Mendis is the recognized leader, the precise statistical components of his best spell remain to be fully detailed in this summary.
Frequently asked questions
When was the first T20I match played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium?
The first T20I match at the venue took place in 2011.
What is the seating capacity of Pallekele International Cricket Stadium?
The stadium has a capacity of 35,000 spectators.
Where is Pallekele International Cricket Stadium located?
The stadium is located in Kandy, Sri Lanka, about 15 km east of the city center along the A26 highway.
Who owns Pallekele International Cricket Stadium?
The venue is owned by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board.
When did the stadium open?
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium opened on 27 November 2009.