Dubai International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report: Records, Matches, Capacity, Stats

4.5 (25) The Dubai International Stadium, formerly known as the Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, is a multi-purpose venue in Dubai, UAE. It primarily hosts cricket matches and is one of the country’s three main cricket grounds, along with the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah and the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The […]

The Dubai International Stadium, formerly known as the Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, is a multi-purpose venue in Dubai, UAE. It primarily hosts cricket matches and is one of the country’s three main cricket grounds, along with the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah and the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The stadium can seat approximately 25,000 spectators, with plans to expand its capacity to approximately 30,000. It is located within the larger Dubai Sports City complex.

The Dubai Stadium features an advanced lighting design known as the “Ring of Fire.” This unique system was specifically designed to illuminate the entire Dubai International Stadium. Its circular roof helps reduce shadows on the field, and approximately 350 lights are positioned around the circular structure, eliminating the need for tall floodlight towers. The venue hosted its first international game on April 22, 2009, when Australia played against Pakistan.

Overview

Dubai International Stadium – Overall Details
Established in	2009
Location	Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Also Known as	Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium
Ends Name	Emirates Road End, Dubai Sports City End
Seating Capacity	25,000
Shortest Boundary Distance	59.43 meters
Longest Boundary Distance	64 meters
Flood Lights	Yes
Pitch	Grass

Dubai International Stadium Pitch Report: Match Phases and Formats

The Dubai Cricket Stadium pitch report often shows how the pitch changes in mild but workable ways – from the early overs that help the seamers, to the spin-friendly middle portion, and finally, the hazy, sloping finish that usually favors the chasing team.

Early Overs / New Ball

The pitch offers some initial seam and swing for fast bowlers, especially in ODIs or evening T20I matches. This movement doesn’t usually cause major problems for the top-order, but it does encourage pacers to target the stumps and trouble the batsmen. This initial grip helps bowlers control the pace of the innings and is a consistent theme in every pitch report from the Dubai Cricket Stadium.

Early and Later Overs

As the game progresses, the surface gradually sets in. The ball begins to grip and turn – this is especially noticeable when the pitch hosts back-to-back matches or intense tournaments like the Champions Trophy or the Major League. Spinners shine during this time, making the competition more intelligent and tactical, with variations in flight and pace. Meanwhile, batsmen who work on angles, rotate the strike well, and place the ball smartly gain an edge. This shift from powerplay hitting to deliberate accumulation is a major part of any detailed Dubai pitch report.

Under the influence of light / mist

The weather is milder during night matches. Fog reduces air dryness, increases humidity in the outfield, and makes the ball skiddier. This lack of grip hinders spinners and is beneficial for batting, especially for teams chasing totals. Therefore, captains who win the toss in T20Is or day-night ODIs often decide to bowl first. The final overs become a comfortable phase for the batsmen, making the run-chase easier.

These phases together form the core of the Dubai International Stadium pitch report:

The early seam forces the pacers to test their technique.
The middle overs require patience and precision as spin takes over.
Late mist gives the chasing teams control and changes match plans.

It’s crucial for players, captains, and fantasy fans to understand that conditions are constantly changing, from the speed of the new ball to the spin-heavy middle and mist-driven end. It’s not just about understanding the conditions – it’s about how quickly they change and adjust.

Dubai International Cricket Stadium Records And Statistics

T20I Stats and Records

Stat	Value
Total matches	120
Matches won batting first	55
Matches won bowling first	63
Average 1st Inns scores	140
Average 2nd Inns scores	123
Highest total recorded	212/2 (20 Ov) by IND vs AFG
Lowest total recorded	55/10 (14.2 Ov) by WI vs ENG
Highest score chased	184/8 (19.2 Ov) by SL vs BAN
Lowest score defended	98/5 (20 Ov) by NAMW vs UAEW

ODI Stats and Records

Stat	Value
Total Matches	63
Matches Won Batting First	23
Matches Won Bowling First	38
Average 1st Innings Score	220
Average 2nd Innings Score	195
Highest Total Recorded	355/5 (50 Ov) By ENG vs PAK
Lowest Total Recorded	91/10 (31.1 Ov) By NAM vs UAE
Highest Score Chased	287/8 (49.4 Ov) By SL vs PAK
Lowest Score Defended	168/10 (46.3 Ov) By UAE vs NEP

Test Stats and Records

Stat	Value
Total Matches	13
Matches Won Batting First	6
Matches Won Bowling First	4
Average 1st Innings Score	336
Average 2nd Innings Score	298
Average 3rd Innings Score	260
Average 4th Innings Score	224
Highest Total Recorded	579/3 (155.3 Ov) By PAK vs WI
Lowest Total Recorded	90/10 (35.3 Ov) By NZ vs PAK

Dubai International Stadium a Batting Pitch or a Bowling Pitch

The Dubai International Stadium pitch report indicates that the pitch offers a good contest between batsmen and bowlers, and it doesn’t lean too much to one side. Previously, the pitch was slightly slower, providing good support for spinners in the middle overs. However, with major events like the T20 World Cup 2021, Pakistan Super League, and Asia Cup, the pitch’s behavior has changed over time.

For batting

In T20Is and ODIs, batsmen find it easier to score after the swing and seam have subsided initially.
During night games, dew makes the ball skid, reduces spin and pace, so chasing teams often perform better.
High totals are now the norm in T20s, with teams regularly crossing the 170-180 mark.

For bowling

Fast bowlers take advantage of the new ball in the early overs, especially during day matches.
Spinners take control in the middle overs as the pitch dries out and catches start to take hold.
In Test matches, the surface starts to break down from the third day, giving spin bowlers a strong edge.

Overall pitch nature

According to the Dubai Cricket Stadium pitch report, the pitch will be balanced – conditions will favour the batsmen in the second innings, while bowlers, especially spinners, will get some assistance in the middle stages of the match.

FAQs: Questions & Answers

Q1. When was the Dubai International Cricket Stadium built?

The Dubai Cricket Stadium was built in 2009 and opened to the public.

Q2. Is the pitch in Dubai better for batting or bowling?

The Dubai Stadium offers opportunities for both batsmen and bowlers. New fast bowlers may enjoy some seam and swing from the pitch, but as the game progresses, it becomes more conducive to batting.