The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is a favorite as well as one of the oldest grounds in South Asian cricket. Situated in the Rawalpindi city center, this venue has held several international games, domestic competitions and pulsating Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches. It still remains the key venue for Pakistan hosting matches with its electrifying environment and live pitch conditions.
So in this article, let’s take a look at the history, boundary length, seating capacity, records and upcoming fixtures for this iconic ground.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Stadium Name | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| Location | Stadium Road, Shamsabad, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Established Year | 1992 |
| First International Match | 1993 (Pakistan vs Zimbabwe – Test) |
| Owner | Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) |
| Operator | Pakistan Cricket Board |
| Seating Capacity | Approximately 17,000 spectators |
| Boundary Length | Straight: 70–72 meters Square: 65–68 meters |
| Pitch Type | Balanced (assists both pacers and batsmen) |
| Ends | Pavilion End, Shell End |
| Floodlights | Yes (for day-night matches) |
| Home Team (PSL) | Islamabad United |
| Major Domestic Teams | Northern (Pakistan), Rawalpindi Region |
| Primary Uses | Test, ODI, T20I, and PSL matches |
| Pitch Behavior | Early movement for pacers; flattens out for batsmen |
| Weather | Moderate climate; winter rain occasionally affects play |
| Managed By | Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) |
| Nearby Attractions | Ayub National Park, Islamabad city center, Margalla Hills |
| Official Website | www.pcb.com.pk |
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Location
Located near Shamsabad on the Stadium Road, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is accessible for the fans coming from Islamabad and adjacent areas. Being close to Islamabad International airport and major arteries, it is accessible from all over Pakistan as well internationally.
The picturesque Margalla Hills, with its captivating view in the distance, gives the ground some special feel to it especially during day-night matches under lights.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Capacity
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium capacity is such a main thing for the cricket lovers. The stadium holds approximately 17,000 and has a tight-knit feel to it during games.
Though not the biggest stadium in Pakistan, its intimate seating and passionate crowd make it one of the noisiest and most intimidating venues for visiting sides. The General Stands, VIP Enclosures and Media Boxes are all constructed to provide unobstructed views of the action on the ground so that fans don’t miss a single delivery.
Similarly, PCB is planning construction of expansions in the ground to increase Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium capacity further for ICC and PSL events coming ahead.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Boundary Length
The boundaries of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium dimensions are not same for all sides. The straight boundaries are about 70-72 meters long, and the square boundaries are slightly shorter at 65-68 meters.
Such moderate boundaries promote attacking cricket and as a result the ground has seen some high-scoring limited overs games. Fast bowlers do get assistance though early in the day from natural seam and bounce, but there is nothing in English wickets that bite into the flesh of batsmen.
The combination of the perfect boundary length and pitch conditions, allows for an equal battle between bat and ball – and a surprise in every game.
History and Background
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium was inaugurated in 1992 to accommodate a Test venue before Pakistan co-host the 1996 Cricket World Cup. The Pindi Club Ground replaced the old stadium as the city’s primary cricketing facility. The stadium has since become the site of several Test matches and ODIs and a T20I featuring Pakistan cricket legends Wasim Akram, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar, and Babar Azam. In the early 2000s, the stadium ceased hosting international matches, but when international cricket returned to Pakistan in 2019, the stadium used a vivid comeback.
Memorable Matches and Records
| Formats | Total Matches Played | First Match | Last Match |
| Test | 16 | 09 Dec 1993 (PAK vs ZIM) | 20 Oct 2025 (PAK vs SA) |
| ODI | 27 | 19 Jan 1992 (PAK vs SL) | 24 Feb 2025 (BAN vs NZ) |
| T20 | 8 | 07 Nov 2020 (PAK vs ZIM) | 21 April 2024 (PAK vs NZ) |
Several unforgettable moments have been etched in cricketing history at Rawalpindi:
- Pakistan vs Sri Lanka in 1999 Test Shoaib Akhtar’s Sri Lankan bowler cleaned him up, making his first mark on the cricket world.
- Pakistan vs Bangladesh in 2020 Test Babar Azam’s brilliant century in home conditions.
- PSL 2023 the highest-scoring thriller ever. Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi in 2023 delivered one of the highest-scoring thrillers ever seen.
- Batting records: The stadium has witnessed many centuries from domestic and international players. The highest ODI team score at the venue is above 350, catching the batsmen-friendly vibe.
- Bowling records: The fast bowlers are assisted by early movement and spinners in the later parts of the games, particularly in Test cricket.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report & Weather Condition
Overall, the pitch here at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is a new-ball bowler’s delight as scores of 250, 280 are competitive here and maximum of 300 you should be comfortably defending at all times. Day-Night games here become tough because if the Dew factor plays its role then chasing the target here becomes a nightmare; Pindi’s weather is moderate but winters have occasional rains, and games scheduled here in November – February will suffer.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Photos
PSL and Domestic Cricket at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
It is the home ground of Islamabad United in Pakistan Super League (PSL). There’s a carnival atmosphere at the venue in every PSL season, and packed grounds roar for sixes and wickets.
Besides the PSL, it is a regular venue for Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and National T20 Cup fixtures. The surge of energy on the ground provided by fans in Rawalpindi turns domestic tournaments into international contests.
Upcoming Matches and Schedule
The extensive Pakistan vs South Africa 2025 series to attract thrilling international cricket action, involving two Test matches, and three ODIs and three T20Is. It will be played from October 12-November 8, 2025 in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Lahore and Faisalabad among other cities.
| Match | Format | Venue | Date | Time (Local) |
| 1st Test | Test Match | Lahore | October 12–15, 2025 | 2:30 PM |
| 2nd Test | Test Match | Rawalpindi | October 20–24, 2025 | 2:30 PM |
| 1st T20I | T20 International | Rawalpindi | October 28, 2025 | 8:00 PM |
| 2nd T20I | T20 International | Lahore | October 31, 2025 | 8:00 PM |
| 3rd T20I | T20 International | Lahore | November 1, 2025 | 8:00 PM |
| 1st ODI | One Day International | Faisalabad | November 4, 2025 | 2:30 PM |
| 2nd ODI | One Day International | Faisalabad | November 6, 2025 | 2:30 PM |
| 3rd ODI | One Day International | Venue To Be Announced | November 8, 2025 | 2:30 PM |
Facilities and Fan Experience
The stadium has been progressively improved over the years. Now fans get seating, food courts, giant screens and clean bathrooms. It is easier to manage big crowds with separate entry points.
The travel becomes even more convenient with parking facilities near Stadium Road and 6th Road Metro Station. Hospitality boxes and media areas have been added to provide a modern vibe, though the ground has stayed rooted in Rawalpindi’s traditional cricket culture.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Ticket Price 2025
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released the ticket prices for the Pakistan vs South Africa series 2025, featuring Test matches and T20Is to be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
| Match Type | Enclosure Type | Ticket Price (PKR) |
| Test Match (2nd Test at Rawalpindi) | General / First-Class / Premium / VIP | Free entry for all five days |
| PCB Gallery (Main Building) | PKR 800 for first four days, PKR 1,000 for the fifth day | |
| Platinum Box (per seat) | PKR 8,000 for first four days, PKR 10,000 for the fifth day | |
| T20 International (T20I) | General Enclosure | PKR 400 |
| First-Class Enclosure | PKR 600 | |
| Premium Enclosure | PKR 700 | |
| VIP Enclosure | PKR 800 | |
| PCB Gallery | PKR 1,500 | |
| Platinum Box (per seat) | PKR 15,000 |
Additional Notes:
- Either book your tickets online or buy them from TCS Express Centres all over Pakistan.
- Free entry to Test match general stands attracts more students and families to the live cricket.
- There are a variety of enclosures to choose from for T20I matches, depending on your preferred seating and views.
- Digital ticketing systems are also being used to make things easier and save time at the gates.
Conclusion
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Test match venue A ground that adds to Pakistan’s cricket Tayyab and Usman are IT students studying in their final year at the Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi. It remains one of the most exciting grounds in both international and domestic cricket with not just a good balance between bat and ball, but ideal boundary distance as well as growing capacity.
Whether it is a PSL slugfest or a Test dog fight, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium offers an experience that will remain etched in your memory -the epi-center of Pakistan’s cricketing soul.
FAQs About Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Q1. What is the capacity of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium?
Ans: The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium capacity is approximately 17,000 spectators, offering an intense, close-up view of the action.
Q2. What is the boundary length of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium?
Ans: The boundary length ranges between 65 to 72 meters, depending on the direction of the field.
Q3. Which team uses Rawalpindi Stadium as their home ground?
Ans: Islamabad United uses the stadium as their home venue in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Q4. When was Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium built?
Ans: It was built in 1992 and first hosted an international Test match in 1993.
Q5. How can fans buy tickets for matches at Rawalpindi Stadium?
Ans: Tickets can be purchased online through the PCB’s official website or authorized platforms like TCS and Bookme.pk during major events.
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