In this article, we will talk about the Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch report according to all Cricket formats Test, ODI, T20 and you will also get IPL pitch report for Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi (UAE).
You will also get to know about pitch and ground conditions in detail, matches records of all Cricket formats also matches records, Innings average scores of Test, ODI, T20, IPL matches, toss factor, and winning records.
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 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 Test 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.
Here are the last 5 test matches average scores of all 4 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
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.
Test Matches Winning Record at Sheikh Zayed Stadium:
In the last five Test matches here, the team batting first has won every match. Of the 15 total Test matches played in the stadium, 9 matches were won by the team batting first, 4 were drawn and only 2 teams managed to win by bowling first.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium ODI 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
In the case of One Day International matches, the pitch condition is similar to the scenario of Test matches. In the last five matches played here, the team batting first has managed to score more runs mostly.
ODI Matches Winning Record at Sheikh Zayed Stadium:
In the last five matches played here, all 5 teams have won by batting first. The ball comes well on the bat and unless the batsman times the shot wrong or is in poor form, it is easy to score in the first innings.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium T20 Pitch Report
T20 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 T20 matches average scores of both Innings at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Ground:
- T20 Matches 1st Innings Average Score – 145 runs
- T20 Matches 2nd Innings Average Score – 130 runs
From the average scores of the last 5 T20 matches, it is evident that though the average score in the first innings is slightly higher than the second innings, teams batting in the second innings have managed to chase the score in some cases. In fact, teams bowling first have won more matches. Of the 47 T20I matches played here, 25 matches were won by teams batting second.
T20 Matches Winning Record at Sheikh Zayed Stadium:
In the last five T20I matches played on the grounds here, the team batting first has won all 5 matches.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium IPL Pitch Report
IPL Match Pitch Report and Toss Factor:
For IPL 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 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 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
Similar to T20I matches, the average scores in both innings in the last five IPL matches do not differ by a huge margin. It is too early to jump to conclusions as 27 IPL matches have been played here both in 2014 IPL season 7 & 2020 IPL season 13.
In IPL 2021 UAE new time table, Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi is one UAE Cricket ground where IPL matches will be played. So we can look forward to the results of the IPL 2021 season for a better understanding of the pitch as quite a good number of matches will be played at Sheikh Zayed stadium this year.
IPL Matches Winning Record at Sheikh Zayed Stadium:
In the last five IPL matches played on the grounds here, the team batting first has won 2 matches, team bowling first has won 3 matches.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium Ground and Pitch Conditions
In Test and ODI matches, the hot day and the dry flat pitch favors batting and the teams winning toss prefer to bat first. Spin bowlers can help cut down the chase in the second and third innings because the flat pitch and the footmarks cause a good spin. But in T20 and domestic limited-overs matches, dew has a great effect on teams batting second, and hence the teams winning the toss prefer bowling first.
Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium Boundary Length:
The stadium has two ends namely North End and Pavilion End separated by a distance of 135 meters.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium Matches Records
Here, we will be sharing the results and scorecards of the last 5 matches played in each format in Sheikh Zayed Stadium. This in addition to the detailed pitch report and ground conditions explained before will help you develop an understanding of the pitch behavior in all four innings of Test matches and both innings in case of ODI and T20 matches. This will aid in predicting the scores which can help you play and form your team in Dream11 and other similar Fantasy Cricket platforms.
Test Matches Records
A total of 15 Test matches have been played in the stadium between 2010 and 2021. India hasn’t played a single test match in the stadium.
Last 5 Test Matches Records:
Test Match 1: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe on 10 March 2021
Result: Afghanistan won by 6 wickets.
Innings:
- Afghanistan First Innings – 545/4(d) (160.4 overs)
- Zimbabwe First Innings – 287 runs All out (91.3 overs)
- Zimbabwe Second Innings (F/O) -365 runs All out (148.5 overs)
- Afghanista Second Innings – 108/4 (26.1 overs)
Test Match 2: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe on 2 March 2021
Result: Zimbabwe won by 10 wickets.
Innings:
- Afghanistan First Innings – 131 runs All out (47 overs)
- Zimbabwe First Innings – 250 runs All out (72 overs)
- Afghanistan Second Innings – 135 runs All out (45.3 overs)
- Zimbabwe Second Innings – 17/0 (3.2 overs)
Test Match 3: New Zealand vs Pakistan on 3 December 2018
Result: New Zealand won by 123 runs.
Innings:
- New Zealand First Innings – 274 runs All out (116.1 overs)
- Pakistan First Innings – 348 runs All out (135 overs)
- New Zealand Second Innings – 353/7d (11 overs)
- Pakistan Second Innings – 156 All out (56.1 overs)
Test Match 4: New Zealand vs Pakistan on 16 November 2018
Result: New Zealand won by 4 runs.
Innings:
- New Zealand First Innings – 153 runs All out (66.3 overs)
- Pakistan First Innings – 227 runs All out (83.2 overs)
- New Zealand Second Innings – 249 runs All out (100.4 overs)
- Pakistan Second Innings – 171 runs All out (58.4 overs)
Test Match 5: Australia vs Pakistan on 16 October 2018
Result: Pakistan won by 373 runs.
Innings:
- Pakistan First Innings – 282 runs All out (81 overs)
- Australia First Innings – 145 runs All out (50.4 overs)
- Pakistan Second Innings – 400/9d (120 overs)
- Australia Second Innings -164 runs All out (49.4 overs)
ODI Matches Records
A total of 51 One Day International matches have been played on this ground from 2006 to 2021. India has played 2 matches here, out of which we had 1 victory and 1 defeat.
Last 5 ODI Matches Records:
ODI Match 1: Afghanistan vs Ireland on 26 January 2021
Result: Afghanistan won by 36 runs
Innings:
- 1st Innings – AFG 266/9 (50 overs)
- 2nd Innings – IRE 230 All out (47.1 overs)
ODI Match 2: Afghanistan vs Ireland on 24 January 2021
Result: Afghanistan won by 7 wickets.
Innings:
- 1st Innings – IRE 259/9 (50 overs)
- 2nd Innings – AFG 260/3 (45.2 overs)
ODI Match 3: Afghanistan vs Ireland on 21 January 2021
Result: Afghanistan won by 16 runs.
Innings:
- 1st Innings – AFG 287/9 (50 overs)
- 2nd Innings – IRE 271/9 (50 overs)
ODI Match 4: Ireland vs UAE on 18 January 2021
Result: Ireland won by 112 runs.
Innings:
- 1st Innings – IRE 228/6 (50 overs)
- 2nd Innings – UAE 116 runs All out (36 overs)
ODI Match 5: Ireland vs UAE on 14 January 2021
Result: Match Prosponed
T20 Matches Records
A total of 47 International T20 matches have been played on this ground from 2010 to 2021. India has not played a single T20I match here.
Last 5 T20 Matches Records:
T20 Match 1: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe on 20 March 2021
Result: Afghanistan won by 47 runs.
Innings:
- 1st Innings – AFG 183/7 (20 overs)
- 2nd Innings – ZIM 136/5 (20 overs)
T20 Match 2: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe on 19 March 2021
Result: Afghanistan won by 45 runs.
Innings:
- 1st Innings – AFG 193/5 (20 overs)
- 2nd Innings – ZIM 148 runs All out (17.1 overs)
T20 Match 3: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe on 17 March 2021
Result: Afghanistan won by 48 runs.
Innings:
- 1st Innings – AFG 198/5 (20 overs)
- 2nd Innings – ZIM 150/7 (20 overs)
T20 Match 4: Canada vs UAE on 27 October 2019
Result: UAE won by 14 runs.
Innings:
- 1st Innings – UAE 154/5 (20 overs)
- 2nd Innings – CAN 140/5 (20 overs)
T20 Match 5: Oman vs Jersey on 27 October 2019
Result: Jersey won by 14 runs.
Innings:
- 1st Innings – JER 141/7 (20 overs)
- 2nd Innings – OMAN 127/9 (20 overs)
IPL Matches Records
A total of 27 IPL matches were played in the stadium in 2014 and 2020.
Last 5 IPL Matches Records:
IPL Match 1: Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad on 8 Noverber 2020
Result: Delhi Capitals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by 17 runs
Innings:
- 1st Innings – DC 189/3 (20 overs)
- 2nd Innings – SRH 172/8 (20 overs)
IPL Match 2: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore on 6 November 2020
Result: Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 6 wickets.
Innings:
- 1st Innings – RCB 131/7 (20 overs)
- 2nd Innings – SRH 132/4 (19.4 overs)
IPL Match 3: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore on 2 November 2020
Result: Delhi Capitals beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 6 wickets.
Innings:
- 1st Innings – RCB 152/7 (20 overs)
- 2nd Innings – DC 154/4 (19 overs)
IPL Match 4: Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab on 1 November 2020
Result: Chennai Super Kings beat Kings XI Punjab by 9 wickets.
Innings:
- 1st Innings – KXIP 153/6 (20 overs)
- 2nd Innings – CSK 154/1 (18.5 overs)
IPL Match 5: Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals on 30 October 2020
Result: Rajasthan Royals beat Kings XI Punjab by 7 wickets.
Innings:
- 1st Innings – KXIP 185/4 (20 overs)
- 2nd Innings – RR 186/3 (17.3 overs)