SHEIKH ZAYED STADIUM, ABU DHABI

SHEIKH ZAYED STADIUM (ABU DHABI)

Since its inception in May 2004, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, which is situated in a remote area of the city of Abu Dhabi, UAE, has witnessed several interesting matches across all three formats of cricket. With well-equipped facilities in addition to the grass banks for additional seating, the stadium is capable of accommodating over 20000 spectators. The stadium is once operated by Pakistan Cricket Board and a lot of Pakistan matches are hosted here. Now it is in hands of Emirates Cricket Board.

SHEIKH ZAYED STADIUM (ABU DHABI) Pitch Report

The brownish tinge pitch has bare patches free of grass which is ideal for batsmen and spin bowlers. Moreover, the wicket is flat and on the slow side, thus forming a batting paradise. The task in hand for swing bowlers is pretty hard. It is tough to get the bounce due to the absence of grass. The dry pitch aids slow seamers in the initial days but as the days pass, the wicket gets flatter. With patience and performance, spin bowlers can be a great asset to the team in Test matches.

SHEIKH ZAYED STADIUM (ABU DHABI) Pitch Report

Test Match Pitch Report and Toss Factor:

As the pitch is devoid of grass, the fast bowlers struggle a lot in the early days and hence the team that wins the toss at Sheikh Zayed Cricket ground usually decides to bat first to put up a winning score in the scorecard. The average 1st innings score is 340+ in Test matches. The bowlers have to be patient and consistent and by the 3rd and 4th innings, the footmarks of the previous day bowlers make the situation better, and the batsmen start struggling to spin bowlers which is the reason for the steep fall in the average scores. From the average scores in the all 4 innings of the last 5 Test matches at Sheikh Zayed Cricket ground, we can conclude that the first innings have a higher average comparatively and with each subsequent innings, the average score deteriorates. It is evident that it is easy for batsmen to score runs on the first two days as there is lesser swing. The bowlers have to bowl a lot to get rewards but as the days pass, though the wicket gets flatter, the spin bowlers can help decrease the run rate.

Here are last tests matches average scores of all Innings at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Ground:

Test Matches 1st Innings Average Score – 370 runs

Test Matches 2nd Innings Average Score – 299 runs

Test Matches 3rd Innings Average Score – 248 Runs

Test Matches 4th Innings Average Score – 156 runs

LAST 10 YEARS OUTCOME

SHEIKH ZAYED STADIUM (ABU DHABI) Pitch Report

ODI Match Pitch Report and Toss Factor:

As it is a batting pitch, the teams winning the toss in ODI at Sheikh Zayed grounds always prefer batting first. Out of the total 42 matches played here the team batting first has won 25 matches and the team chasing won 16 matches and 1 match went with a no result. Spinners do get help from the dry and rough pitch here on sunny hot days. Batsman too enjoy batting here and the team batting look for the big total and put pressure on the opponent team.

Here are last ODI matches average scores of both Innings at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Ground:

ODI Matches 1st Innings Average Score – 232 runs

ODI Matches 2nd Innings Average Score – 196 runs

LAST 10 YEARS OUTCOME

SHEIKH ZAYED STADIUM (ABU DHABI) Pitch Report

T20I Match Pitch Report and Toss Factor:

Though the ground has a batting pitch that will help batsman, unusual to the case of ODI and Test matches where teams prefer batting first, the teams whoever win the toss in T20 matches here prefer to bowl first. As most of the T20 matches are day-night matches or completely night matches, the dew falling on the pitch makes it difficult for the bowlers to control the ball in the second innings contrary to the usual case in Test or ODI matches held during the day. As of now the ground has witnessed 62 matches where the team batting first has won 27 matches and the team chasing won 35 matches.

Here are last T20I matches average scores of both Innings at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Ground:

T20I Matches 1st Innings Average Score – 146 runs

T20I Matches 2nd Innings Average Score – 148 runs

LAST 10 YEARS OUTCOME

SHEIKH ZAYED STADIUM (ABU DHABI) Pitch Report

IPL AND PSL Match Pitch Report and Toss Factor:

For IPL and PSL T20 matches, the pitch favors the batsman mostly. The pitch does provide good help for spin bowlers, dew factor starts in second innings so that time bowlers do find some struggle to bowl. Toss hasn’t played a major factor in predicting the winning team in IPL and PSL matches so far. But it has been noticed that teams whoever won the toss preferred bowling first just like in the case of T20I matches considering the effect of dew on the pitch.

Here are last IPL and PSL matches average scores of both Innings at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Ground:

IPL Matches 1st Innings Average Score – 146 runs

IPL Matches 2nd Innings Average Score – 134 runs

PSL Matches 1st Innings Average Score – 167 runs

PSL Matches 2nd Innings Average Score – 148 runs

LAST 10 YEARS OUTCOME

ILT20 Match Pitch Report and Toss Factor:

As we can see that in every format the pitch has been very helpful for the batsman to score good runs so it’s for sure that the pitch helps the batsman the most as compared to the bowlers who comfortably secures good runs on the board. As it’s a new league at this ground as of now 21 matches held where the team batting first has won 9 and the team chasing won 12 which makes the contest more fun in upcoming days as the toss doesn’t play a vital role for this league matches as seen in the last games.

Here are last ILT20 matches average scores of both Innings at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Ground:

ILT20 Matches 1st Innings Average Score – 165 runs

ILT20 Matches 2nd Innings Average Score – 149 runs

LAST 10 YEARS OUTCOME

As of now the ground has witnessed 82 league matches (IPL, PSL AND ILT20) out of which 38 matches won by the team batting first and 44 matches won by the team bowling first.