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{{short description|Cricket stadium}}
{{Short description|Cricket stadium in Faisalabad, Pakistan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=May 2019}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox cricket ground
{{Infobox venue
| ground_name      = Iqbal Stadium
| name = Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
| Floodlights      = Yes 2006
| native_name = اقبال سٹیڈیم، فیصل آباد
| image           = File:Iqbal Cricket Stadium Faisalabad PAKISTAN.jpg
| image =Iqbal Cricket Stadium Faisalabad PAKISTAN.jpg
|
| image_size = 300px
| country         = Pakistan
| caption = View of Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad
| location        = Stadium Road, [[Faisalabad]]
| country =  
| coordinates      = {{coord|31|26|2|N|73|5|9|E|region:PK_type:city|display=it}}
| coordinates =
| Pitch type      = Grass
| city = [[Faisalabad]], [[Punjab, Pakistan]]
| seating_capacity = 18,000<ref name=TNI>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/112875-Renovated-Iqbal-Stadium-to-host-Pakistan-Cricket-Cup |date=15 April 2016|title=Renovated Iqbal Stadium to host Pakistan Cricket Cup|newspaper=The News International (newspaper)|agency=Associated Press of Pakistan|access-date=10 November 2020}}</ref>
| capacity = 17,000
| owner            = Faisalabad City Cricket Association/PCB
| owner = [[Pakistan Cricket Board]]
| operator        = Faisalabad City Cricket Association
| mapframe-zoom = 14
| tenants          = [[Faisalabad cricket team]], [[Central Punjab cricket team|Central Punjab]], [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]]
| public_transit = {{rint|Bus}} Iqbal Stadium
| end1            = Pavilion End
| opened = {{start date and age|1978}}
| end2            = Golf Course End
| renovated = {{start date and age|2025|9|7}}
| international    = true
| expanded =  
| firstodidate     = 23 Nov
| embedded = {{Infobox cricket ground
| firstodiyear     = 1984
| embed        = yes
| firstodihome     = Pakistan
| international = true
| firstodiaway     = New Zealand  
| firsttestdate = 16 October
| lastodidate     = 11 Apr
| firsttestyear = 1978
| lastodiyear     = 2008
| firsttesthome = Pakistan
| lastodihome     = Pakistan  
| firsttestaway = India
| lastodiaway     = Bangladesh
| lasttestdate  = 21 January
| firsttestdate    = 16 Oct – 21 Oct
| lasttestyear  = 2006
| firsttestyear    = 1978
| lasttesthome  = Pakistan
| firsttesthome    = Pakistan
| lasttestaway  = India
| firsttestaway    = India
| firstodidate = 23 November
| lasttestdate    = 21 Jan- 25 Jan
| firstodiyear = 1984
| lasttestyear    = 2006
| firstodihome = Pakistan
| lasttesthome    = Pakistan
| firstodiaway = New Zealand
| lasttestaway    = India
| lastodidate   = 8 November
| date             = 29 August
| lastodiyear   = 2025
| year             = 2009
| lastodihome   = Pakistan
| source           = http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/ground/58927.html Iqbal Stadium, Cricinfo
| lastodiaway   = South Africa
| firstt20idate =
| firstt20iyear =
| firstt20ihome =
| firstt20iaway =  
| lastt20idate  =
| lastt20iyear  =
| lastt20ihome  =
| lastt20iaway  =
| firstwodidate =  
| firstwodiyear =  
| firstwodihome =  
| firstwodiaway =  
| lastwodidate  =  
| lastwodiyear  =  
| lastwodihome  =  
| lastwodiaway  =  
 
| date   = 4 November
| year   = 2025
| source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/ground/58927.html Iqbal Stadium, ESPNcricinfo
}}
}}
}}
'''Iqbal Stadium''' ({{langx|ur|اقبال سٹیڈیم}}), formerly known as '''Lyallpur Stadium''', is a cricket stadium in [[Faisalabad]], [[Pakistan]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2005-10-21 |title=Pakistan ground guide: Faisalabad |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/4345050.stm |access-date=2025-05-01 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> Constructed in the 1970s, it has hosted 24 Tests and 19 [[One Day International|ODIs]] so far.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rasool |first=Danyal |date=2025-04-30 |title=Pakistan vs Bangladesh T20Is: Faisalabad returns to calendar for five-match series in May {{!}} ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/pakistan-vs-bangladesh-t20is-faisalabad-returns-to-calendar-for-five-match-series-in-may-1483651 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> The venue has also been a key site for Pakistan's domestic cricket tournaments, such as the [[Quaid-e-Azam Trophy]].
The seating capacity of the stadium stands at 17,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paracha |first=Nadeem F. |author-link=Nadeem F. Paracha |date=2017-03-10 |title=Stadium stories: Famous Pakistan cricket grounds |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1319194 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |language=en}}</ref>
==History==
Iqbal Stadium was established in the early 1970s to accommodate the growing popularity of cricket in Faisalabad. Originally known as Lyallpur Stadium, it was renamed Iqbal Stadium in honor of Pakistan's [[national poet]], [[Muhammad Iqbal]]. The stadium quickly became one of Pakistan's most important cricketing venues, hosting its first Test match in October 1978 between [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]] and [[India national cricket team|India]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Iqbal Stadium Records and Stats {{!}} ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricket-grounds/iqbal-stadium-faisalabad-58927/records |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |language=en}}</ref>
A modern and well-equipped cricket venue, it has suffered at the hands of weather conditions in the past. In 1998–99, the third Test against [[Zimbabwe national cricket team|Zimbabwe]] was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to thick fog.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1998-12-18 |title=Fog holds up play in Zimbabwe-Pakistan Test |url=https://i.imgci.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/1998-99/ZIM_IN_PAK/SCORECARDS/ZIM_PAK_T3_17-21DEC1998_AFP_MR/ZIM_PAK_T3_18DEC1998_AFP_MR.html |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref> Poor visibility has also caused difficulty in playing especially during the winter.
Since its inception, Iqbal Stadium has witnessed several historic cricketing moments, including famous Test matches involving Pakistan and international teams. An thrilling Test match was played between [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]] and Pakistan in 1997–98, when the visitors bowled out the hosts for 92 runs, successfully defending a target of 142 on the final day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PAK vs SA, South Africa tour of Pakistan 1997/98, 3rd Test at Faisalabad, October 24 - 27, 1997 - Full Scorecard |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-tour-of-pakistan-1997-98-61841/pakistan-vs-south-africa-3rd-test-63768/full-scorecard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229104112/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/south-africa-tour-of-pakistan-1997-98-61841/pakistan-vs-south-africa-3rd-test-63768/full-scorecard |archive-date=29 December 2023 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> Then, in the 2004–05 season, Sanath Jayasuriya of [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]] scored 253 as his team romped to a 201-run victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PAK vs SL Cricket Scorecard, 1st Test at Faisalabad, October 20 - 24, 2004 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-tour-of-pakistan-2004-05-61634/pakistan-vs-sri-lanka-1st-test-64105/full-scorecard |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
The ground is, however, most renowned for the on-field spat between [[England cricket team|England]] captain [[Mike Gatting]] and Pakistani [[Umpire (cricket)|umpire]] [[Shakoor Rana]] during England's 1987–88 tour. While being the square-leg umpire, Rana had objected to Gatting waving his hand at another fielder while the bowler was running in. A fierce altercation followed, which led to a day being lost during the match and some long-lasting bad feeling between the teams. The issue forced the British Ambassador Sir Nicholas Barrington to get involved in order to de-escalate the situation and force an apology from the England captain.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-14 |title=The Gatting-Rana fall-out: When a whole day of Test cricket was lost to a player-umpire argument |url=https://www.wisden.com/cricket-news/the-gatting-rana-fall-out-when-a-whole-day-of-test-cricket-was-lost-to-a-player-umpire-argument |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[Wisden]] |language=en}}</ref>
The stadium regularly hosted international matches until 2009, when all international cricket activities were suspended in Pakistan after [[2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team]]. The stadium, however, continued hosting domestic matches.
=== Domestic tournaments ===
The stadium hosted the [[2011 Super 8 Twenty20 Cup|2011]] and [[2015 Super 8 Twenty20 Cup|2015]] editions of the [[Super 8 Twenty20 Cup]].
In 2016, four new [[Cricket pitch|cricket pitches]] were added to take the total cricket pitches to nine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-15 |title=Renovated Iqbal Stadium to host Pakistan Cricket Cup |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/112875-Renovated-Iqbal-Stadium-to-host-Pakistan-Cricket-Cup |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[The News International]] |language=en}}</ref>
In September 2019, the [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] named it as one of the venues for matches in the [[2019–20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-01-10 |title=PCB releases Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2019-20 schedule |url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/pcb-releases-quaid-e-azam-trophy-2019-20-schedule.html |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[Pakistan Cricket Board]] |language=en-US |archive-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929094240/https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/pcb-releases-quaid-e-azam-trophy-2019-20-schedule.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The stadium hosted the finals of the [[National T20 Cup]] in [[2019–20 National T20 Cup|2019]] and [[2024–25 National T20 Cup|2025]].
In August 2024, it was announced that the stadium would host all the matches of newly formulated domestic [[2024–25 Champions One-Day Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-08-28 |title=PCB announces Champions One-Day Cup schedule |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40319706/pcb-announces-champions-one-day-cup-schedule |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[Business Recorder]] |language=en}}</ref>
=== Return to international cricket ===
In September 2024, the Pakistan Cricket Board revealed plans to upgrade the stadium to enable international matches to be hosted there.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-09-13 |title=PCB plans to upgrade Faisalabad's Iqbal stadium for international matches |url=https://arynews.tv/pcb-plans-to-upgrade-faisalabads-iqbal-stadium/ |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[ARY News]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
On April 30 2025, it was announced that international cricket will return to Iqbal Stadium after a gap of 17 years, with [[Bangladesh national cricket team|Bangladesh]] touring Pakistan in May 2025. Iqbal Stadium was to host the first two [[Twenty20 International|T20Is]] on 25 May and 27 May, but it did not host the matches due to certain reasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-04-30 |title=Cricketing action returns to iconic venue in Pakistan’s five-T20I series |url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/cricketing-action-returns-to-iconic-venue-in-pakistan-s-five-t20i-series |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[International Cricket Council]] |language=en}}</ref> Pakistan [[South African cricket team in Pakistan in 2025–26|hosted South Africa]] for three ODIs from 4 to 8 November 2025 at the Iqbal Stadium, the first ODI at the stadium in 17 years, with Pakistan having beaten Bangladesh by seven wickets at the venue on 11 April, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/pakistan-to-host-south-africa-for-icc-world-test-championship-2025-27-from-12-october.html |title=Pakistan to host South Africa for ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 from 12 October |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |accessdate=7 September 2025}}</ref>


'''Iqbal Stadium''' ({{lang-ur|اقبال سٹیڈیم}}) is a [[Test cricket]] ground in [[Faisalabad]], [[Pakistan]]. Previous names for the ground include '''Lyallpur Stadium''', '''National Stadium''', and '''City Stadium'''. The current name honours Pakistani poet Sir [[Allama Muhammad Iqbal]]. Capacity is 18,000.<ref name=TNI/><ref name="Dawn">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1319194 |title=Stadium stories: Famous Pakistan cricket grounds |access-date=10 November 2020|newspaper=Dawn (newspaper)|author=Nadeem F. Paracha}}</ref> It has hosted 25 Test matches and 14 One Day Internationals.  14 of the Tests have been draws.<ref name="Dawn"/> In September 2019, the [[Pakistan Cricket Board]] named it as one of the venues to host matches in the [[2019–20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/pcb-releases-quaid-e-azam-trophy-2019-20-schedule.html |title=PCB releases Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2019-20 schedule |work=Pakistan Cricket Board |access-date=3 September 2019}}</ref>


==Ground records==
==Ground records==
*'''First Test:''' 1st Test, [[Pakistani cricket team|Pakistan]] vs. [[Indian cricket team|India]], October 1978.
*'''First Test:''' 1st Test, [[Pakistani cricket team|Pakistan]] vs. [[India national cricket team|India]], 16–21 October 1978.<ref name=":0" />
*'''First [[One Day International|ODI]]:''' Pakistan vs. [[New Zealand cricket team|New Zealand]], November 1984.
*'''First [[One Day International|ODI]]:''' Pakistan vs. [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]], 23 November 1984.<ref name=":0" />


===Tests===
===Tests===
*'''Highest innings total:''' 6–674 by Pakistan vs. India, October 1984.
*'''Highest innings total:''' 674/6 by Pakistan vs. India, October 1984.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=PAK: Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Cricket Ground Test match team highest innings totals {{!}} ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/ground/team-highest-innings-totals/pak-iqbal-stadium-faisalabad-639/test-matches-1 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
*'''Lowest innings total:''' 53 all out by [[West Indian cricket team|West Indies]] vs. Pakistan, October 1986.
*'''Lowest innings total:''' 53 all out by [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]] vs. Pakistan, October 1986.<ref name=":1" />
*'''Highest individual score:''' 253 by [[Sanath Jayasuriya]] for [[Sri Lankan cricket team|Sri Lanka]] vs. Pakistan, October 2004.
*'''Highest individual score:''' 253 by [[Sanath Jayasuriya]] for [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]] vs. Pakistan, October 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PAK: Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Cricket Ground Test match batting most runs innings {{!}} ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/ground/batting-most-runs-innings/pak-iqbal-stadium-faisalabad-639/test-matches-1 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
*'''Best bowling figures (match):''' 12–130 (7–76 & 5–54) by [[Waqar Younis]] for Pakistan vs. New Zealand, October 1990.
*'''Best bowling figures (match):''' 12/130 (7/76 & 5/54) by [[Waqar Younis]] for Pakistan vs. New Zealand, October 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PAK: Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Cricket Ground Test match bowling best figures match {{!}} ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/ground/bowling-best-figures-match/pak-iqbal-stadium-faisalabad-639/test-matches-1 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>


===One-day internationals===
===One-day internationals===
*'''Highest innings total:''' 7–314 (50 overs) by Pakistan vs. New Zealand, December 2003.
*'''Highest innings total:''' 314/7 (50 overs) by Pakistan vs. New Zealand, December 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PAK: Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Cricket Ground ODI match team highest innings totals {{!}} ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/ground/team-highest-innings-totals/pak-iqbal-stadium-faisalabad-639/one-day-internationals-2 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
*'''Highest individual score:''' 106 by [[Mohammad Yousuf (cricketer, born 1974)|Mohammad Yousuf]] for Pakistan vs. [[Bangladeshi cricket team|Bangladesh]], September 2003.
*'''Highest individual score:''' 123* by [[Quinton de Kock]] for South  Africa vs. Pakistan, November 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PAK: Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Cricket Ground ODI match batting most runs innings {{!}} ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/ground/batting-most-runs-innings/pak-iqbal-stadium-faisalabad-639/one-day-internationals-2 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
*'''Best bowling figures:''' 4–27 (4 overs) by [[Mudassar Nazar]] for Pakistan vs. New Zealand, November 1984.
*'''Best bowling figures:''' 4/27 (4 overs) by [[Mudassar Nazar]] for Pakistan vs. New Zealand, November 1984.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PAK: Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Cricket Ground ODI match bowling best figures innings {{!}} ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/ground/bowling-best-figures-innings/pak-iqbal-stadium-faisalabad-639/one-day-internationals-2 |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
 
===Profile===
The Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad is situated in the north of the province of Punjab and is a modern and well-equipped stadium. But no matter how impressive a venue is, not much can be done about the weather and Faisalabad has suffered at the hands of the elements. In 1998–99 fog caused the third Test against Zimbabwe was abandoned without a ball being bowled, while bad light is often an issue especially for matches played during the winter. However, when play has been possible, some memorable performances have taken place. An exciting Test was played out in 1997–98 when South Africa skittles Pakistan for 92, successfully defending a target of 142 on the final day. Then, in 2004–05, Sanath Jayasuriya smashed 253 as Sri Lanka powered to a 201-run victory. But the ground is most famous for the confrontation between Mike Gatting and Shakoor Rana during England's 1987–88 tour, which led to a day being lost during the match and some long-lasting bad feeling between the teams. The Pakistan Cricket Board also conducts its domestic tournaments at this venue. Recently,{{when?|What year?|date=December 2020} Super 8 T20 was held here from 11 to 18 May. The stadium itself is only 2&nbsp;km out of the city centre, which can be reached by a walk through the tree-lined suburbs.
 
In 2016, 4 new cricket pitches were added to take the total cricket pitches to 9 now.<ref name=TNI/>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of Test cricket grounds]]
* [[List of Test cricket grounds]]
* [[List of stadiums in Pakistan]]
* [[List of stadiums in Pakistan]]
* [[List of cricket grounds in Pakistan]]
* [[List of cricket grounds in Pakistan]]
* [[List of sports venues in Karachi]]
* [[List of sports venues in Lahore]]
* [[List of sports venues in Faisalabad]]
* [[List of sports venues in Faisalabad]]


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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://content.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/ground/58927.html Cricinfo Website – Ground Page]
* [https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricket-grounds/iqbal-stadium-faisalabad-58927 ESPNcricinfo Website – Ground Page]


{{Cricket grounds in Pakistan}}
{{Cricket grounds in Pakistan}}
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[[Category:Cricket in Faisalabad]]
[[Category:Cricket in Faisalabad]]
[[Category:Memorials to Muhammad Iqbal]]
[[Category:Memorials to Muhammad Iqbal]]
[[Category:1987 Cricket World Cup stadiums]]
[[Category:1996 Cricket World Cup stadiums]]

Latest revision as of 09:45, 25 March 2026


Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
اقبال سٹیڈیم، فیصل آباد
View of Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad
Lua error in Module:Infobox_mapframe at line 197: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
AddressFaisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
OwnerPakistan Cricket Board
Capacity17,000
Construction
Opened1978; 48 years ago (1978)
RenovatedSeptember 7, 2025; 10 months ago (2025-09-07)
Ground information
International information
First Test16 October 1978:
 Pakistan v  India
Last Test21 January 2006:
 Pakistan v  India
First ODI23 November 1984:
 Pakistan v  New Zealand
Last ODI8 November 2025:
 Pakistan v  South Africa
As of 4 November 2025
Source: Iqbal Stadium, ESPNcricinfo

Iqbal Stadium (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), formerly known as Lyallpur Stadium, is a cricket stadium in Faisalabad, Pakistan.[1] Constructed in the 1970s, it has hosted 24 Tests and 19 ODIs so far.[2] The venue has also been a key site for Pakistan's domestic cricket tournaments, such as the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

The seating capacity of the stadium stands at 17,000.[3]

History[edit | edit source]

Iqbal Stadium was established in the early 1970s to accommodate the growing popularity of cricket in Faisalabad. Originally known as Lyallpur Stadium, it was renamed Iqbal Stadium in honor of Pakistan's national poet, Muhammad Iqbal. The stadium quickly became one of Pakistan's most important cricketing venues, hosting its first Test match in October 1978 between Pakistan and India.[4]

A modern and well-equipped cricket venue, it has suffered at the hands of weather conditions in the past. In 1998–99, the third Test against Zimbabwe was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to thick fog.[5] Poor visibility has also caused difficulty in playing especially during the winter.

Since its inception, Iqbal Stadium has witnessed several historic cricketing moments, including famous Test matches involving Pakistan and international teams. An thrilling Test match was played between South Africa and Pakistan in 1997–98, when the visitors bowled out the hosts for 92 runs, successfully defending a target of 142 on the final day.[6] Then, in the 2004–05 season, Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka scored 253 as his team romped to a 201-run victory.[7]

The ground is, however, most renowned for the on-field spat between England captain Mike Gatting and Pakistani umpire Shakoor Rana during England's 1987–88 tour. While being the square-leg umpire, Rana had objected to Gatting waving his hand at another fielder while the bowler was running in. A fierce altercation followed, which led to a day being lost during the match and some long-lasting bad feeling between the teams. The issue forced the British Ambassador Sir Nicholas Barrington to get involved in order to de-escalate the situation and force an apology from the England captain.[8]

The stadium regularly hosted international matches until 2009, when all international cricket activities were suspended in Pakistan after 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team. The stadium, however, continued hosting domestic matches.

Domestic tournaments[edit | edit source]

The stadium hosted the 2011 and 2015 editions of the Super 8 Twenty20 Cup.

In 2016, four new cricket pitches were added to take the total cricket pitches to nine.[9]

In September 2019, the Pakistan Cricket Board named it as one of the venues for matches in the 2019–20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.[10]

The stadium hosted the finals of the National T20 Cup in 2019 and 2025.


In August 2024, it was announced that the stadium would host all the matches of newly formulated domestic 2024–25 Champions One-Day Cup.[11]

Return to international cricket[edit | edit source]

In September 2024, the Pakistan Cricket Board revealed plans to upgrade the stadium to enable international matches to be hosted there.[12]

On April 30 2025, it was announced that international cricket will return to Iqbal Stadium after a gap of 17 years, with Bangladesh touring Pakistan in May 2025. Iqbal Stadium was to host the first two T20Is on 25 May and 27 May, but it did not host the matches due to certain reasons.[13] Pakistan hosted South Africa for three ODIs from 4 to 8 November 2025 at the Iqbal Stadium, the first ODI at the stadium in 17 years, with Pakistan having beaten Bangladesh by seven wickets at the venue on 11 April, 2008.[14]


Ground records[edit | edit source]

Tests[edit | edit source]

  • Highest innings total: 674/6 by Pakistan vs. India, October 1984.[15]
  • Lowest innings total: 53 all out by West Indies vs. Pakistan, October 1986.[15]
  • Highest individual score: 253 by Sanath Jayasuriya for Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan, October 2004.[16]
  • Best bowling figures (match): 12/130 (7/76 & 5/54) by Waqar Younis for Pakistan vs. New Zealand, October 1990.[17]

One-day internationals[edit | edit source]

  • Highest innings total: 314/7 (50 overs) by Pakistan vs. New Zealand, December 2003.[18]
  • Highest individual score: 123* by Quinton de Kock for South Africa vs. Pakistan, November 2025.[19]
  • Best bowling figures: 4/27 (4 overs) by Mudassar Nazar for Pakistan vs. New Zealand, November 1984.[20]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Pakistan ground guide: Faisalabad". BBC News. 21 October 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  2. ↑ Rasool, Danyal (30 April 2025). "Pakistan vs Bangladesh T20Is: Faisalabad returns to calendar for five-match series in May | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  3. ↑ Paracha, Nadeem F. (10 March 2017). "Stadium stories: Famous Pakistan cricket grounds". Dawn. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Iqbal Stadium Records and Stats | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  5. ↑ "Fog holds up play in Zimbabwe-Pakistan Test". ESPNcricinfo. 18 December 1998. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  6. ↑ "PAK vs SA, South Africa tour of Pakistan 1997/98, 3rd Test at Faisalabad, October 24 - 27, 1997 - Full Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 29 December 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  7. ↑ "PAK vs SL Cricket Scorecard, 1st Test at Faisalabad, October 20 - 24, 2004". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  8. ↑ "The Gatting-Rana fall-out: When a whole day of Test cricket was lost to a player-umpire argument". Wisden. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  9. ↑ "Renovated Iqbal Stadium to host Pakistan Cricket Cup". The News International. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  10. ↑ "PCB releases Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2019-20 schedule". Pakistan Cricket Board. 10 January 2014. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  11. ↑ "PCB announces Champions One-Day Cup schedule". Business Recorder. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  12. ↑ "PCB plans to upgrade Faisalabad's Iqbal stadium for international matches". ARY News. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  13. ↑ "Cricketing action returns to iconic venue in Pakistan's five-T20I series". International Cricket Council. 30 April 2025. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  14. ↑ "Pakistan to host South Africa for ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 from 12 October". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "PAK: Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Cricket Ground Test match team highest innings totals | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  16. ↑ "PAK: Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Cricket Ground Test match batting most runs innings | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  17. ↑ "PAK: Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Cricket Ground Test match bowling best figures match | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  18. ↑ "PAK: Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Cricket Ground ODI match team highest innings totals | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  19. ↑ "PAK: Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Cricket Ground ODI match batting most runs innings | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
  20. ↑ "PAK: Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad Cricket Ground ODI match bowling best figures innings | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 May 2025.

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