National Cricket Stadium, Tangier

National Cricket Stadium

Ground information
Location	Tangier, Morocco
Coordinates	35°46′18″N 5°51′21″W
Capacity	5,000
Owner	Government of Morocco
Operator	Moroccan Cricket Association
End names
Pavilion End Cape Spartel End
International information
First ODI	12 August 2002:  Pakistan v  South Africa
Last ODI	21 August 2002:  South Africa v  Sri Lanka
Team information
Morocco (2004)
As of 20 July 2009 Source: Ground profile

The National Cricket Stadium was a cricket ground located in Tangiers, Morocco. It was the only stadium in Morocco that had been used for senior cricket.

The stadium hosted its first international tournament from 12 to 21 August 2002. Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka competed in a 50-over one day triangular series.^[1]

The ICC granted international status to the stadium, providing official approval that allowed it to become North Africa's first international cricket venue.

History

The stadium was constructed by Dubai-based construction tycoon Abdul Rahman Bukhatir as part of his plan to globalise cricket and spread it throughout the Arab world.^[2]

The ground was selected to hold the 2002 Morocco Cup, which was a One Day International tri-series competition involving Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka.^[2] Seven One Day Internationals were played during the competition, with Sri Lanka eventually winning it.^[3][4]

This was the first time One Day Internationals had been held by an affiliate member nation of the International Cricket Council, though top-class cricket hasn't returned to the ground since.

In 2004, Morocco played two matches there against the touring Marylebone Cricket Club.^[5]

Facilities

• Practice area: 6 turf wickets and 2 concrete wickets
• Stadium capacity: 5000
• Bowling machines
• Large changing rooms for players
• Availability for hire upon request
• Fitness Centre
• SPA: massage, jacuzzi, beauty salon, aromatherapy, reflexology
• Sports centre with multiple usage
• 72 equipped suites
• 56 bungalows
• Restaurant
• Clubhouse

Decline

The stadium has gradually fallen into decline, in doing so casting a shadow over the future of Moroccan Cricket.

Due to mismanagement and a lack of funds, the stadium has not been maintained. The wicket that once existed is now a feeding ground for sheep, and there is a digger stuck in mud in the outfield. Cricket matches have not been played in the stadium since 2013.^[6]

List of Centuries

One Day Internationals

No.	Score	Player	Team	Balls	Inns.	Opposing team	Date	Result
1	114	Herschelle Gibbs	South Africa	130	1	Pakistan	12 August 2002	Won[7]

List of Five Wicket Hauls

One Day Internationals

No.	Bowler	Date	Team	Opposing team	Inn	Overs	Runs	Wkts	Econ	Batsmen	Result
1	Waqar Younis	12 August 2002	Pakistan	South Africa	1	10	38	5	3.80	Gary Kirsten Jacques Kallis Mark Boucher Shaun Pollock Lance Klusener	Lost[7]

References

1. "New ground: Five unusual cricket venues". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
2. Austin, Charlie (11 August 2002). "Tangiers Cricket Stadium: a new chapter in a construction tycoon's dream". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
3. "One-Day International Matches played on National Cricket Stadium, Tangier". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
4. "National Cricket Stadium | Morocco | Cricket Grounds | ESPNcricinfo.com". Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
5. "Other matches played on National Cricket Stadium, Tangier". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
6. "Can Moroccan cricket ever be revived?, Stumped - BBC World Service". BBC. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
7. "1st Match, Morocco Cup at Tangier, Aug 12 2002". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 August 2019.

External links

• National Cricket Stadium, Tangier at ESPNcricinfo
• National Cricket Stadium, Tangier at CricketArchive