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 350+ 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 5 tests matches average scores of both Innings at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Ground:

Test Matches 1st Innings Average Score – 358 runs

Test Matches 2nd Innings Average Score – 340 runs

Test Matches 3rd Innings Average Score – 273 Runs

Test Matches 4th Innings Average Score – 165 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. Of the 51 total matches played here, 33 teams have won batting first. Also, 27 teams have managed to score more than 250 runs in the first innings. Spinners can get help from the dry and rough pitch here on sunny hot days. Batsmen will enjoy batting here, so team batting first will look for the big total and put pressure on the opponent team.

Here are last 5 ODI matches average scores of both Innings at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Ground:

ODI Matches 1st Innings Average Score – 245 runs

ODI Matches 2nd Innings Average Score – 211 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 batsmen, unusual to the case of ODI and Test matches where teams prefer batting first, the teams that win the toss in T20 matches here prefer bowling first. This is considering the dew factor. 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.

Here are last 5 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 will be the batting pitch and will help mostly batsmen. The pitch will also provide good help for spin bowlers, dew factor will come in second innings so that time bowlers can 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 winning the toss prefer bowling first just like in the case of T20I matches considering the effect of dew on the pitch.

Here are last 5 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 10 matches held where the team batting first has won 4 and the team chasing won 6 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 – 153 runs

ILT20 Matches 2nd Innings Average Score – 152 runs

LAST 10 YEARS OUTCOME

T10 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. T10 is one of the platform where we can see most of the games secured 130+ runs and which is even entertaining to see how the batsman works on his form and how best he can hit the ball over the boundaries. As of 96 matches took place out of which 36 matches won by the team batting first and 53 matches won by the team batting second and 2 of the matches went with no result.

Here are last t10 matches average scores of both Innings at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Ground:

T10 Matches 1st Innings Average Score – 121 runs

T10 Matches 2nd Innings Average Score – 103 runs

LAST 10 YEARS OUTCOME