Sylhet International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report: Records, Matches, Capacity, Stats
Over the years, the country has built many modern venues to host international and domestic matches. One such beautiful ground is the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium (SICS). It is located in the Sylhet Division of Bangladesh.
Known for its wonderful atmosphere and greenery, this stadium is often called one of the most beautiful cricket venues in Asia. However, beyond its charm, there is a playing surface that challenges both batsmen and bowlers.
In this blog, we will take a detailed look at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium and cover everything you need to know about this ground.
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The Sylhet pitch is known for offering a balanced competition between bat and ball. But it still favors the spinners a bit as the game progresses. The surface usually has a layer of grass that helps the seamers gain speed early, especially in morning games. However, under lights or in the second innings, the pitch flattens out, making it easier for batsmen to play their shots.
Pitch Nature
- Type: Grass surface and even bounce
- Best for: Spin bowlers (as the match progresses)
- Pace Support: Early pace in the Powerplay overs
- Batting Difficulty: Medium to Challenging
- Average First Innings Score (T20): 155-165
- Average First Innings Score (ODI): 245-265
Pitch Behavior Summary:
The Sylhet pitch starts on the slow side. Pacers can find some swing in the first few overs, but as the ball loses its luster, the spinners come into play. Turn and grip help the tweakers dominate the middle overs, which often makes it difficult for batsmen to play aggressive strokes.
Interestingly, the team batting second has a good record here. The dew factor in night games reduces the spin effect and makes batting a bit easier in the light. Therefore, teams prefer to chase on this ground.
Weather and Conditions
The weather in Sylhet is usually humid and tropical, which means that dew plays a major role in evening matches. It often becomes easier to bat second due to less spin and ball skidding. On the other hand, morning matches can give bowlers a touch of seam movement because there is moisture on the surface.
The outfield is fast, and the green surroundings make fielding a beautiful sight. But players often need to adapt to the wet conditions, especially during the winter season.
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Sylhet International Cricket Stadium Records and Statistics
| Format | First Match | Last Match | Teams (First Match) | Teams (Last Match) | Time Period | Record Categories Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | November 03–06, 2018 | April 20–23, 2025 | Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh | Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe | 2018 – 2025 | Results, High Totals, Most Runs, Best Bowling, Most Wickets, Partnerships, Statsguru |
| ODIs | December 14, 2018 | March 23, 2023 | West Indies vs Bangladesh | Ireland vs Bangladesh | 2018 – 2023 | Results, High Totals, Most Runs, Best Bowling, Most Wickets, Partnerships, Statsguru |
| T20Is | March 17, 2014 | September 03, 2025 | Zimbabwe vs Ireland | Bangladesh vs Netherlands | 2014 – 2025 | Results, High Totals, Most Runs, Best Bowling, Most Wickets, Partnerships, Statsguru |
| WT20Is (Women’s T20Is) | March 23, 2014 | December 09, 2024 | New Zealand Women vs Australia Women | Bangladesh Women vs Ireland Women | 2014 – 2024 | Results, High Totals, Most Runs, Best Bowling, Most Wickets, Partnerships, Statsguru |
| YTests (Under-19 Tests) | April 16–19, 2013 | September 22–25, 2021 | Sri Lanka Under-19 vs Bangladesh Under-19 | Bangladesh Under-19 vs Afghanistan Under-19 | 2013 – 2021 | Results, High Totals, Most Runs, Best Bowling, Most Wickets, Partnerships, Statsguru |
| YODIs (Under-19 ODIs) | January 28, 2012 | September 19, 2021 | England Under-19 vs Bangladesh Under-19 | Bangladesh Under-19 vs Afghanistan Under-19 | 2012 – 2021 | Results, High Totals, Most Runs, Best Bowling, Most Wickets, Partnerships, Statsguru |
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium: Pitch analysis for each format
1. Test Matches
Although this stadium rarely hosts Test cricket, the surface usually starts slow and deteriorates by Day 3 or Day 4. Batsmen who spend time at the crease are rewarded, but spinners are not.
2. One-Day Internationals (ODIs)
The ODI wickets at Sylhet support both sides equally. Teams batting first need to score around 270+ runs to feel safe. This is because the chasing team often has the advantage of the mist and gets
a slightly smoother surface later in the innings.
3. T20 Internationals
In T20s, the Sylhet pitch has been more batting-friendly in recent years due to the curved surface. The ball comes to the bat well, and teams often target 170+ to feel competitive. However,
spinners still get some turn, especially in the first innings.
4. Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Matches
In the BPL, the Sylhet track has produced many exciting contests. Local stars like Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan and Towhid Hriday have made full use of the home ground advantage. Other batting
teams have won almost 60% of BPL matches here.
Conclusion
The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium is a blend of beauty, passion and cricketing excellence. Its balanced pitch makes it a fair competition for both batsmen and bowlers, while the weather and mist factor add an interesting twist to every match. With a seating capacity of 18,000, the stadium provides one of the most electrifying environments in Bangladesh cricket.
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FAQs
Q1. What Type of Pitch is Used at The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium?
The Sylhet pitch is a grassy yet balanced surface that helps both batsmen and bowlers. Early in the innings, fast bowlers can gain pace, while spinners come into play as the game progresses. The even bounce allows for stroke play, but patience is key for big scores.
Q2. Is it Better to Bat or Bowl First in Sylhet?
Teams generally prefer to bowl first at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Fog in night matches often makes it difficult for bowlers to catch the ball in the second innings, making it easier to bat in the light. Historical statistics also show a high success rate for chasing teams.
Q3. What is The Average Score at The Sylhet International Stadium?
The average first innings score in T20Is is around 160, while in ODIs it is between 245-265. The pitch is medium-paced, and teams with good spinners can defend scores below 170 in T20s if they bowl smartly before the dew sets in.
Q4. How does Weather and Dew Affect Matches in Sylhet?
The humid climate of Sylhet means that dew plays a major role in evening matches. It reduces spin and swing, which is good for batsmen in the second innings. This is the reason why captains who win the toss often choose to bowl first, especially in limited-overs formats. In the morning, the humidity can help the seamers a bit.
Q5. Which Players have Performed Best at The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium?
Several Bangladeshi stars have performed brilliantly at this venue. Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das and Shakib Al Hasan have performed brilliantly here. Shakib in particular has dominated with both bat and ball, making him one of Sylhet’s top players.
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