Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi has hosted 60 T20I matches since its first international fixture on 26 October 2010, serving as a key venue for the United Arab Emirates and other associate nations.
The ground was one of the dedicated venues for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Cricket records at the stadium include a highest team total of 195/6 by Ireland and a highest individual score of 117 by Shaiman Anwar.
Overview
Sheikh Zayed Stadium is a cricket ground located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The venue has established itself as a prominent fixture in international cricket, hosting 60 T20I matches between 2010 and 2025. The first recorded match at the stadium took place on 2010-10-26, with the most recent fixture occurring on 2025-09-23. This extensive schedule highlights the stadium's role as a key venue for bilateral series and tournament play in the region.
The stadium was built by Concor and opened in May 2004. The construction cost was $23 million. The inaugural first-class match was an Intercontinental Cup fixture between Scotland and Kenya in November 2004. The venue was one of the dedicated venues for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, further cementing its status as a premier T20I location. The pitch and conditions at Sheikh Zayed Stadium have produced a wide range of scoring environments, as evidenced by the statistical records accumulated over the last 15 years.
Venue Profile
Located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium serves as a primary venue for T20I cricket. The ground opened in May 2004, constructed by Concor at a cost of $23 million. Its inaugural first-class match featured Scotland and Kenya in November 2004. The stadium was designated as a dedicated venue for the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Statistical records at the venue span from the first match on 2010-10-26 to the most recent fixture on 2025-09-23. A total of 60 matches have been played at this location. Oman is the most active team at the stadium, having contested 12 matches.
Batting performances at the ground have reached significant heights. The highest team total recorded is 195/6, achieved by Ireland on 2024-09-29. The highest individual batting score is 117, set by Shaiman Anwar on 2017-04-14. Conversely, the lowest team total is 66/9, posted by Nigeria on 2019-10-26.
Bowling records also highlight key performances. The best bowling figures are 6/18, recorded by Rohan Mustafa on 2019-10-19. These statistics define the competitive landscape of T20I cricket at this Abu Dhabi venue.
What is the highest team total at Sheikh Zayed Stadium?
Team Totals and Scoring Extremes
The scoring dynamics at Sheikh Zayed Stadium reveal a wide variance between peak offensive outputs and defensive collapses. The highest team total recorded at the venue is 195/6, achieved by Ireland against South Africa on 2024-09-29. This performance stands as the benchmark for batting excellence in the T20I format at this Abu Dhabi ground. The chase or defense of such a total requires consistent run-rate maintenance, often leveraging the stadium's dimensions and pitch behavior during the latter stages of the innings.
Individual Records: Batting and Bowling
Individual Records: Batting and Bowling
The highest individual batting score recorded at Sheikh Zayed Stadium is 117 runs, achieved by Shaiman Anwar on 14 April 2017. This performance stands out within the venue's 60-match T20I dataset, representing a significant individual contribution to team totals. Anwar's century demonstrates the potential for high-scoring individual efforts on this pitch, contributing to the broader statistical profile of batting performances at the ground.
Bowling records at the venue highlight exceptional spells under pressure. The best bowling figures are 6 wickets for 18 runs, taken by Rohan Mustafa on 19 October 2019. This performance is a key benchmark for bowlers aiming for dominance at the stadium. Mustafa's figures reflect the impact a single bowler can have on match outcomes, particularly when chasing or defending totals in the T20I format.
These individual milestones provide context for the team records observed at the venue. The highest team total of 195/6 by Ireland on 29 September 2024 and the lowest team total of 66/9 by Nigeria on 26 October 2019 frame the range of performances possible. Individual records like Anwar's 117 and Mustafa's 6/18 are critical components of these team results, illustrating how standout performances drive the statistical extremes seen in the 60 matches played between 2010 and 2025.
T20I Match History at Sheikh Zayed Stadium
Match activity at Sheikh Zayed Stadium spans from the inaugural T20I on 2010-10-26 through to the most recent fixture on 2025-09-23. Over this period, the venue has hosted a total of 60 matches, establishing itself as a consistent stop for international teams. The frequency of games reflects the ground's role in the T20I calendar, with fixtures spread across more than fifteen years of competition.
Team performance metrics at the venue show significant variance in scoring outputs. The highest team total recorded is 195/6, achieved by Ireland on 2024-09-29. This score represents the upper limit of batting dominance observed in the dataset. In contrast, the lowest team total is 66/9, set by Nigeria on 2019-10-26. These extremes highlight the differing conditions and team strengths encountered over the years.
Individual milestones further define the statistical landscape. Shaiman Anwar holds the record for the highest individual batting score with 117 runs, scored on 2017-04-14. On the bowling front, Rohan Mustafa delivered the best figures with 6/18 on 2019-10-19. These performances stand out among the 60 matches played.
Oman is the most active team at the venue, having participated in 12 matches. This frequency underscores the Gulf nation's reliance on the Abu Dhabi ground for home fixtures. The data from 2010 to 2025 provides a comprehensive view of team and individual achievements at this key T20I location.
How does Sheikh Zayed Stadium compare to other T20I grounds?
Comparing the venue's scoring extremes to broader T20I benchmarks highlights the unique conditions at this Abu Dhabi ground. The highest team total of 195/6, set by Ireland on 2024-09-29, represents a substantial chase in the shortest format. Such a scoreline suggests a pitch that can reward aggressive batting, particularly when the ball settles. This total stands as a key reference point for teams planning their innings at the stadium.
Individual performances further define the statistical landscape. Shaiman Anwar's score of 117 on 2017-04-14 remains the highest individual batting score at the venue. This century demonstrates the capacity for a single batsman to dominate the opposition. Such milestones are critical for understanding the batting potential available to visitors.
Bowling records also highlight key performances. The best bowling figures of 6/18 by Rohan Mustafa on 2019-10-19 reflect the effectiveness of spinners or pace bowlers depending on the surface. These individual achievements provide context for the team totals recorded. They show how a single player can influence the match result significantly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest team total at Sheikh Zayed Stadium?
The highest team total is 195/6, scored by Ireland on 29 September 2024.
What is the lowest team total at Sheikh Zayed Stadium?
The lowest team total is 66/9, scored by Nigeria on 26 October 2019.
Who holds the record for the highest individual score at Sheikh Zayed Stadium?
Shaiman Anwar holds the record with 117 runs, scored on 14 April 2017.
Who has the best bowling figures at Sheikh Zayed Stadium?
Rohan Mustafa recorded the best bowling figures with 6/18 on 19 October 2019.
Which team has played the most matches at Sheikh Zayed Stadium?
Oman is the most active team at the venue, having played 12 matches.
Summary
Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi has hosted 60 T20I matches between 26 October 2010 and 23 September 2025. The venue's records include a highest team total of 195/6 by Ireland, a lowest total of 66/9 by Nigeria, a highest individual score of 117 by Shaiman Anwar, and best bowling figures of 6/18 by Rohan Mustafa.