IQBAL STADIUM (FAISALABAD)
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 honour 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. 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. 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. A 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. Then, in the 2004–05 season, Sanath Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka scored 253 as his team romped to a 201-run victory. 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. 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.
IQBAL STADIUM (FAISALABAD) Pitch Report
Iqbal Cricket Stadium appears to be a batting-friendly pitch, especially in the first innings. However, the decline in scores in the second innings suggests it may offer some help to bowlers later in the game, possibly spinners as the pitch wears down. Teams winning the toss might prefer to bat first to take full advantage of the favourable batting conditions upfront.
IQBAL STADIUM (FAISALABAD) Pitch Report
ODI Match Pitch Report and Toss Factor:
The Iqbal Stadium pitch in Faisalabad generally supports batting, especially in limited-overs matches. The surface is made of grass soil with an even bounce, allowing stroke-makers to play freely once settled. However, spinners find assistance as the game progresses, and medium pacers get movement under lights during the initial overs. As of now the ground has witnessed only 3 matches in the last 10 years where the team batting first has won none and the team chasing has won 3 matches.
Here are the last ODI matches average scores of both Innings at Iqbal Stadium ground:
ODI Matches 1st Innings Average Score – 225 runs
ODI Matches 2nd Innings Average Score – 226 runs
LAST 10 YEARS OUTCOME
| Innings | Both | 1st | 2nd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Won (1st Bat) | NA | 0 | NA |
| Won (2nd Bat) | NA | NA | 3 |
| No Result | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Runs | 1353 | 675 | 678 |
| Highest Score | NA | 269 | 270 |
| Lowest Score | NA | 143 | 144 |
| Average | 225.50 | 225.00 | 226.00 |
| Balls | 1512 | 822 | 690 |
| Strike Rate | 89.48 | 82.12 | 98.26 |
| 100-149 runs | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 150-199 runs | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 200-249 Runs | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 250-299 Runs | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 300-349 Runs | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4s | 124 | 57 | 67 |
| 6s | 34 | 16 | 18 |
| Avg 4/6 | 21/6 | 19/5 | 22/6 |
| Innings | Both | 1st | 2nd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Balls | 1512 | 822 | 690 |
| Runs | 1353 | 675 | 678 |
| Average Run/Wkts | 32.21 | 23.28 | 52.15 |
| Strike Rate Balls/Wkts | 36.00 | 28.34 | 53.08 |
| Maiden Overs | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| 3-4 Wickets | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5-7 Wickets | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8-9 Wickets | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 10 Wickets | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Wickets | 42 | 29 | 13 |
| Lbw | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Bowled | 11 | 10 | 1 |
| Stumped | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Catch | 24 | 16 | 8 |
| Innings | Both | 1st | 2nd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lbw | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Bowled | 11 | 10 | 1 |
| Stumped | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Catch | 24 | 16 | 8 |
| Run Out | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Hit Wicket | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Innings | Both | 1st | 2nd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right-Handed | 18 | 14 | 4 |
| Lbw | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Bowled | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| Stumped | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Catch | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| Left-Handed | 23 | 15 | 8 |
| Lbw | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Bowled | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Stumped | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Catch | 17 | 11 | 6 |
| Innings | Both | 1st | 2nd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left Arm | 14 | 10 | 4 |
| Fast | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fast-Medium | 8 | 7 | 1 |
| Medium | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Spinner | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Bowled | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Catch | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Stumped | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Lbw | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Right Arm | 27 | 19 | 8 |
| Fast | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Fast-Medium | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Medium | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Spinner | 16 | 14 | 2 |
| Bowled | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Catch | 19 | 12 | 7 |
| Stumped | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lbw | 2 | 1 | 1 |
