Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium: Pakistan's Floodlit 15,000-Seat Ground Has Served as National Venue Since 1992
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium: A Floodlit 15,000-Seat Landmark Near the Capital
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium stands as one of Pakistan's established international cricket venues, conceived in 1992 with a vision that aligned with the country's plans to co-host the 1996 World Cup. When completed, it became Pakistan's 14th ground for international cricket.
Capacity and Modern Upgrades
The stadium has a seating capacity of 15,000 people and has quite recently acquired floodlights as well, allowing it to stage day-night cricket. While the ground is used for multi-purpose events, most of the time only cricket matches take place.
Historic Firsts
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium hosted its first Test match in 1993, when Pakistan played against Zimbabwe. It had already staged its first ever One-Day International in 1992, when Pakistan took on Sri Lanka.
Location and Turnout
The ground lies at a comfortable distance from the capital, Islamabad, and every international match at the venue receives a healthy turnout as it is the only stadium in the territory. It also serves as a home ground for the Rawalpindi cricket team.
A Home for Fast Bowling Greats
The venue holds a special place in Pakistani cricket history as a domestic base for some of the country's finest talent. As the profile notes, speedster Shoaib Akhtar used to play his domestic matches at this very stadium.