About | Details |
Also knows as | Zayed Cricket Stadium |
Established | 2004 |
Named After | President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan |
Capacity | 20,000 |
End Names | North End, Pavilion End |
Home teams | UAE national cricket team, Afghanistan national cricket team, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, MI Emirates |
Flood Lights | Yes |
Pitch | Grass |
The Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi is one of the top cricket grounds in the UAE. Built for about $23 million and opened in 2004, it was designed by Concor with a focus on comfort and space. The ground has two main stands and wide grass banks on the sides with a seating capacity of around 20,000.
The stadium became a major venue during the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, when Abu Dhabi hosted several important matches. Games from the first round, the Super 12 stage, and even a semi-final were played here. Aerial views of the stadium often show the modern design sitting right in the heart of the city.
The ground is also closely linked with the Indian Premier League (IPL). In 2014, when the first half of the IPL was shifted to the UAE, several matches were played at the Abu Dhabi cricket ground. Later, in 2020, the stadium hosted many games when the league fully took place in the UAE. In 2021, the second phase of the season was staged in the UAE with Abu Dhabi once again being one of the venues.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium Test Records and Stats
The Sheikh Zayed Stadium has seen its share of massive scores. England piled up 598/9d against Pakistan in 2015, which remains the highest total here. Strangely, the same side also collapsed for just 72 all out versus Pakistan in 2012, recording the lowest ever score at this venue.
Azhar Ali has scored over 1,086 runs in 11 games at this stadium, more than anyone else in Tests here. Yasir Shah sits on top of bowling charts overall with 46 wickets in seven Tests in Abu Dhabi.
On the batting front, AB de Villiers’ monumental 278 not out against Pakistan in 2010 is still the highest individual score here. Rashid Khan's spell of 7/137 that came versus Zimbabwe in 2022 is the best in Test cricket at this venue.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium ODI Records and Stats
South Africa’s 343/4 against Ireland in 2024 is the highest ODI total recorded at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Afghanistan’s 63 all out versus Scotland in 2015 is at the opposite end.
With the bat, Misbah-ul-Haq leads the way, scoring 585 runs in 16 ODIs he played here. With the ball, Saeed Ajmal has enjoyed the most success, 29 wickets in 18 matches in total.
Alastair Cook’s classy 137 against Pakistan in 2012 remains the best individual innings in ODIs at this stadium. Josh Davey holds the record of the best ODI figures at this ground, taking 6/28 versus Afghanistan in 2015.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium T20I Records and Stats
The highest team total in T20Is held at Sheikh Zayed Stadium belongs to Ireland, who scored 225/7 against Afghanistan in 2013, while on another day, Nigeria posted 66/9 versus Ireland in 2019, the lowest total here in men's T20Is.
Paul Stirling loves batting at this venue. He has accumulated 406 runs in 13 T20Is, the most by any batter. Bilal Khan of Oman has taken 19 wickets in 12 matches, making him the leading wicket-taker in T20Is here.
Shaiman Anwar smashed unbeaten 117 runs off 68 balls against Papua New Guinea in 2017, which is the highest individual score at the Abu Dhabi stadium. The best figures in a single T20I innings belong to Craig Young, who grabbed 4/13 versus Nigeria in 2019.
How to Reach Sheikh Zayed Stadium?
The stadium is well-connected and easily accessible:
📍 Address: Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub, Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Nearest Bus Stop: Bus stop, Al Manhal Street, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Nearest Railway Station: Abu Dhabi does not have a railway system.
Nearest Airport: Zayed International Airport (approx. 19 km from stadium, 15 minutes by car/taxi)
