Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium
Encyclopedia
The Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi
( Urdu: شیخ زید کرکٹ اسٹیڈیم ) Arabic ملعب الكريكيت الشيخ زايد cost $22 million to build and is arguably one of the world's finest cricket grounds. It was opened in May 2004 and staged its first first-class match when Scotland played Kenya in the Intercontinental Cup that November.
The ground is dominated by two large stands at either end, with the areas square of the wicket offering large grass banking for spectators to sit, although during the daylight hours that might be less than appealing as there is no shade.
and India
, in April 2006. The two teams put aside their differences in support for the 2005 Pakistan earthquake victims. The series was expected to raise $10 million for the earthquake relief. B.R. Shetty, of the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council, said: Of the total money raised, 75 per cent will go Pakistan and the rest to India.
. Pakistan has hosted series against Australia
, West Indies, New Zealand
and South Africa
on this ground.
, Lancashire
, Middlesex
and Surrey
played Pre-Season friendlies there.
In 2012 Pakistan will play one Test and two one day games against England.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
( Urdu: شیخ زید کرکٹ اسٹیڈیم ) Arabic ملعب الكريكيت الشيخ زايد cost $22 million to build and is arguably one of the world's finest cricket grounds. It was opened in May 2004 and staged its first first-class match when Scotland played Kenya in the Intercontinental Cup that November.
The ground is dominated by two large stands at either end, with the areas square of the wicket offering large grass banking for spectators to sit, although during the daylight hours that might be less than appealing as there is no shade.
Friendship Series (Pakistan vs India)
One of the more memorable events at the stadium were the two, back-to-back charity matches between cricketing rivals PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, in April 2006. The two teams put aside their differences in support for the 2005 Pakistan earthquake victims. The series was expected to raise $10 million for the earthquake relief. B.R. Shetty, of the Abu Dhabi Cricket Council, said: Of the total money raised, 75 per cent will go Pakistan and the rest to India.
Other Competitions
As of 2009, many international series are held here, since Pakistan is not able to host any more matches at home due to the security aftermath of the 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team
The Sri Lankan cricket team attack occurred on March 3, 2009, when a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers, part of a larger convoy, was fired upon by 12 gunmen, near the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. The cricketers were on their way to play the third day of the second Test against the...
. Pakistan has hosted series against Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, West Indies, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
on this ground.
Domestic Fixtures
In 2009 the stadium held host to numerous cricket games in 2009, mostly fixtures in the Nissan Gulf Cup, where domestic teams from England, and latterly India (2010 version) compete against each other for the title. In March 2009, SussexSussex County Cricket Club
Sussex County Cricket Club is the oldest of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Sussex. The club was founded as a successor to Brighton Cricket Club which was a representative of the county of Sussex as a...
, Lancashire
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
, Middlesex
Middlesex County Cricket Club
Middlesex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Middlesex. It was announced in February 2009 that Middlesex changed their limited overs name from the Middlesex Crusaders, to the...
and Surrey
Surrey County Cricket Club
Surrey County Cricket Club is one of the 18 professional county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Surrey. Its limited overs team is called the Surrey Lions...
played Pre-Season friendlies there.
In 2012 Pakistan will play one Test and two one day games against England.