Multan Cricket Stadium, a testament to Pakistan’s rich cricket heritage, stands as a beacon of sportsmanship and passion. Home to the PSL champions, Multan Sultans, this venue with its pristine pitches and vibrant stands, embodies the spirit of cricket in Pakistan, hosting monumental matches and fostering the nation’s cricketing legacy.
Multan Cricket Stadium – Home Ground Of Multan Sultans
Multan Cricket Stadium is a beautiful sight in the City of Shrines. PCB owned the ground, and it is now the home ground of Multan Sultans. The stadium hosts both forms of International Cricket: Test cricket and One Day International. PCB has declared this stadium to be fit for hosting some of the matches of PSL.
The ground is adorned with lush greenest outfields, which makes it one of the most beautiful stadiums. Multan Cricket Stadium also hosted one historical Pakistan-India Test that saw Virender Sehwag smash a career-best 309, enabling India to inflict an innings defeat over Pakistan.
Multan Cricket Stadium: General Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 35000 |
| Established | 2001 |
| Home Teams | Pakistan National Cricket Team, Southern Punjab cricket team, Multan Sultans (PSL) |
| Floodlights | Yes |
| Location | Multan, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Time Zone | UTC +05:00 |
History Of Multan Cricket Stadium
- 1975: Ibn-e-Qasim Bagh Stadium opens, hosting football and cricket with a capacity for 18,000 spectators. Known as the Old Fort Stadium, it sees only three matches due to its unsuitability for international cricket.
- 2001: To fulfill the need for a modern venue, PCB establishes Multan Cricket Stadium with a seating capacity of approximately 35,000 spectators. It quickly hosts its inaugural test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh for the Asian Test Championship.
- 2004: The stadium witnesses a historic test match between Pakistan and India, where Virender Sehwag scores a groundbreaking 309 runs. This achievement marks the first triple century at the venue, leading India to victory.
- April 2018: PCB announces a renovation plan for Multan Cricket Stadium alongside other national venues, aiming to upgrade facilities for international matches and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
- 26 February 2020: Multan Cricket Stadium debuts in the PSL with a match between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi. The 2020 season sees the stadium hosting three PSL matches in total.
- 30 May 2022: PCB reveals that Multan Cricket Stadium will host a three-match ODI series against the West Indies in June, reintroducing international cricket to Multan after a 14-year hiatus.
- 8 June 2022: The stadium holds its first ODI against the West Indies, marking a successful return to hosting international cricket matches.
- August 2022: Announced as a venue for the home Test series against England in December 2022, Multan Cricket Stadium strengthens its position as a key site for Pakistan’s international cricket engagements.
Multan Cricket Stadium – Location
Multan Cricket Stadium is located off Vehari Road, Gulshan e Yousaf, Multan. The stadium’s exact location is east of the bus stations Vehari Chowk Metrobus and Faisal Movers Bus Terminal in the suburbs of Multan.
Naseerabad, Ali Town, Nazir Colony, and Tahir Colony are neighborhoods close to Multan’s international stadium. Located in the suburbs of Multan, the stadium is easily accessible by public transport as it is near the central city (approx 5km).
Building and View
From the drone view of the stadium, you can see lush green outfields have formed the boundary of the building. The stadium’s building is similar to one of the famous shrines of Multan, with dusted-colored bricks. Authorities have installed Floodlights recently to make day/night cricket matches possible. Plastic chairs are installed in the enclosures.
The stadium’s building is circular. The boundary length of Multan Cricket Stadium is about 60-80 meters from the center pitch. However, depending on the type of cricket played here, it can be decreased or increased.
The stadium was renovated and upgraded in 2018 to make it suitable for hosting PSL matches. The management laid the grass re-laid on the ground. They established new media enclosures established to accommodate media persons. One of the significant features of Multan Cricket Stadium is that there is less distance between the seating area and the ground so that you can view the players up close in action.
Enclosures and Stands
Nine enclosures are less than Karachi National Stadium, marked with different colors and unique identification in Multan cricket stadium. Most of them are named after the remarkable cricketers of Pakistan.
- Zaheer Abbas Enclosure
- Javed Miandad Enclosure
- Elahi Brothers Enclosure
- Wasim Akram Enclosure
- Fazal Mehmood Enclosure
- Inzamam-ul-Haq Enclosure
- Imran Khan Enclosure
- Hanif Muhammed Enclosure
- Mushtaq Ahmed Enclosure
Seating Capacity
PCB uses Multan Cricket Stadium for domestic and international cricket matches. It is renovated and upgraded to provide a better cricket viewing experience. As of now, the seating capacity of Multan Cricket Stadium is 35,000.
Pitch Report
The pitch report of the Multan Cricket Stadium varies from match to match, as, for some matches, the pitch is kept flat with no grass to benefit the batters, while on some other days, it might be a little grassy to support bowlers.
Batters enjoy batting on the pitch in Multan, especially on days two and three. Spinners tend to benefit on the fourth and fifth days due to the rough patches created by the dryness in the pitch.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Characteristics | Flat, dry surface favoring batters |
| Spin | Can come into play later in the innings |
| Seam | Less effective due to the flat surface |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 255 |
| Toss Advantage | Batting first preferred |
Multan Cricket Stadium – Weather
Multan features a hot desert climate with scorching summers and mild winters. The standard annual precipitation measures 186 millimeters (7.3 in).
Multan is known for having some of the hottest weather in Pakistan. The highest recorded temperature is approximately 52 °C (126 °F), and the lowest recorded temperature is approximately −1 °C (30 °F). The stadium is perfect for hosting cricket matches from January to March.
Stats and Records of Multan Stadium
Multan Cricket Stadium is one of the appropriate grounds for hosting cricket matches with impressive audience accommodation capacity. It has hosted many cricket matches in different periods. Some of the best records in this stadium are:-
- First Test Pakistan v Bangladesh – Aug 29-31, 2001;
- Last Test Pakistan v England – Dec 9-12, 2022.
- First ODI Pakistan v Bangladesh – Sep 9, 2003;
- Last ODI Pakistan v West Indies – Jun 12, 2022.
The average Test, ODI, and T20i scores at Multan Cricket Stadium are as follows:
Multan Cricket Stadium: Test Records
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | 675/5d (India vs Pakistan, 2004) |
| Lowest Team Total | 134 (Bangladesh vs Pakistan, 2001) |
| Highest Individual Score | 309 (Virender Sehwag, India vs Pakistan, 2004) |
| Most Runs (Batsman) | 517 (Mohammad Yousuf, Pakistan) |
| Most Wickets (Bowler) | 22 (Danish Kaneria, Pakistan) |
| Best Bowling Figures | 7/114 (Abrar Ahmed, Pakistan vs England, 2022) |
ODI Records
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | 342/6 (Pakistan vs Nepal, 2023) |
| Lowest Team Total | 104 (Nepal vs Pakistan, 2023) |
| Highest Run Chase | 306/5 (Pakistan vs West Indies, 2022) |
| Highest Individual Score | 151 (Babar Azam, Pakistan vs Nepal, 2023) |
| Most Runs (Batsman) | 332 (Babar Azam, Pakistan) |
| Most Wickets (Bowler) | 11 (Shadab Khan, Pakistan) |
| Best Bowling Figures | 4/19 (Mohammad Nawaz, Pakistan vs West Indies, 2022) |
Highest total
India’s 675/5 against Pakistan in March 2004 is the highest Test total at the Multan Cricket Stadium. On the back of Virender Sehwag’s triple-century and a 348-ball 194 from Sachin Tendulkar, the Indian cricket team amassed the score in the first two days.
West Indies is second with a score of 591. Pakistan is third on the list, having made 546/3.
Lowest total
Bangladesh has the three lowest totals at the Multan Cricket Stadium, with scores of 134, 148, and 154, respectively. Pakistan’s lowest was 175 in September 2003 against the Bengal Tigers.
Pakistan bowled out England at175 at this venue by Pakistan in November 2005.
Highest individual score
Virender Sehwag, the former Indian cricketer, has the highest individual score at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The opening batter smashed 309 runs off 375 balls in March 2004, which included 39 fours and six sixes. He is the only triple-centurion in Tests at the venue.
Brain Lara of the West Indies is the only other double-centurion here. He scored a 262-ball 216 in November 2006. Mohammad Yousuf has three 100+ scores, the most by any player in Tests here.
Best bowling figures
Abrar Ahmed of Pakistan, making his debut, picked up seven wickets while conceding 114 runs against England in December 2022. It is the best bowling figure at the venue in Test matches.
Danish Kaneria and Anil Kumble have picked up six wickets in an innings at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Kaneria achieved this feat twice in one match against Bangladesh in August 2001. He also has a five-wicket haul in a Test innings at this stadium.
Meanwhile, Kumble’s six-for enabled India to win by an innings and 52 runs against Pakistan in March 2004.
Most Runs
Pakistan’s former middle-order batter Mohammad Yousuf has scored the most runs in Tests at the Multan Cricket Stadium. While averaging 86.16, he amassed 517 runs.
Inzamam-ul-Haq, the former Pakistan captain, and Virender Sehwag are among the top run-getters.
Most Wickets
Danish Kaneria, the Karachi-born leg spinner, scalped 22 wickets in three matches, the most by a player in Tests here. He has registered three five-wicket hauls (in an innings) and one 10-wicket haul (in a Test) at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan’s Shabbir Ahmed, who has picked 12 wickets, is the only player with 10-plus wickets in the most extended format at this stadium.
Highest Partnership
Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar added 336 runs for the third wicket in March 2004 against Pakistan. It remains the highest partnership at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Test cricket.
West Indies Brian Lara and Dwayne Bravo have registered the only other double-century partnership at the venue, accumulating 200 runs in November 2006.
Multan Sultan’s PSL Facts and Records
| Category | Detail | Record |
|---|---|---|
| General Facts | PSL Debut | 2016 |
| Championships | 1 (2022) | |
| Home Matches Played | 34 | |
| Home Matches Won | 22 | |
| Highest Home Score | 211/3 (vs Islamabad United, 2022) | |
| Lowest Home Score | 125/9 (vs Karachi Kings, 2022) | |
| Batting Records | Most Runs (Home Matches) | Mohammad Rizwan (1298 runs) |
| Highest Individual Score (Home Match) | Sohaib Maqsood (109* vs Karachi Kings, 2022) | |
| Most Sixes (Home Matches) | Rilee Rossouw (97 sixes) | |
| Bowling Records | Most Wickets (Home Matches) | Imran Tahir (42 wickets) |
| Best Bowling Figures (Home Match) | Mohammad Irfan Jr. (5/25 vs Lahore Qalandars, 2023) | |
| Individual Accolades | Most PSL Man of the Match Awards (Home Matches) | Mohammad Rizwan (4) |
| Most PSL Purple Cap Awards (Most Wickets in PSL Season) | Imran Tahir (2022) |
Multan Cricket Stadium – Tickets Price
Different matches have different ticket prices in this stadium. The same goes for the enclosure sitting. The PCB has fixed ticket prices at PKR3,000 for a VIP enclosure, PKR2,500 for a premium enclosure, PKR2,000 for a first-class enclosure, and PKR1,000 for a general enclosure.
Multan Cricket Stadium Tickets Booking
You can book tickets online with these simple steps.
Here’s how you can book your tickets for the upcoming matches:
- Head to pcb.bookme.pk to see the upcoming matches.
- Select the match you want to book tickets for.
- A new screen will slide out from the right side of the screen, showing the number of seats available in different enclosures.
- Once you select the enclosure, a new window will open where you can select the seats available.
- Click on the seat you want to book.
- Confirm your booking by clicking the “Book ME” button on the right.
- Enter your Name, Email address, Phone Number, and CNIC.
- Enter the OTP you received on your phone.
- Select your payment method and finalize the booking.
PSL in Multan Cricket Stadium
Pakistan Cricket Board established Multan Cricket Stadium to meet the standards for hosting cricket and facilitating foreign players with the best. It gained immense importance when it became the home ground for the PSL franchise Multan Sultans.
PSL has contributed a lot to the grandeur of this stadium. All the matches were played in Gaddafi Stadium Lahore or Karachi National Stadium, but things have changed. PCB announced in April 2018 that they would renovate other venues and several stadiums. The initiative was to make them fit for future international matches and Pakistan Super League.
This stadium hosted its first PSL match on 26 February 2020 between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi. In PSL 2020, this stadium hosted three matches. PCB upgraded the stadium to prepare it for hosting some of the matches of PSL. Cricket enthusiasts from Pakistan eagerly await to witness PSL Teams play the exciting matches conducted at Multan Cricket Stadium.
Which cricket stadium is the biggest in Pakistan?
Karachi’s National Stadium claims the title of Pakistan’s largest cricket venue, outstripping Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Following renovations that reduced Gaddafi’s capacity to 27,000, the National Stadium, accommodating 34,000 spectators, now stands as the premier arena for cricket enthusiasts across the nation, cementing its top spot.
In the list of the biggest cricket stadiums, Multan Cricket Stadium is the second biggest cricket stadium in the country, with a capacity of 30,000 spectators, a well-maintained pitch, and lush green grass outfields.
What is the name of Multan Cricket Stadium?
Multan Cricket Stadium has replaced the Ibn-e-Qasim Bagh Stadium to meet the need for a well-furnished and well-equipped stadium. Originally known as the Old Fort Stadium, the Ibn-e-Qasim Bagh Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Multan, Pakistan, used for football and cricket. PCB organizes Different domestic and international matches.
Summary
Multan Cricket Stadium has gradually evolved throughout its history. The stadium’s building, view, location, sitting capacity, and pitch report meet the expectations for hosting domestic and international cricket matches. This article is a complete overview of Multan Cricket Stadium, its facts, and its records.
Book your PSL tickets now to have the experience of witnessing a cricket match at Multan Cricket Stadium.
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