Niaz Stadium

Not to be confused with the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar

Niaz Stadium
Ground information
LocationHyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan
Coordinates25°22′57″N 68°20′17″E / 25.3826°N 68.3381°E / 25.3826; 68.3381
Establishment1961; 63 years ago (1961)
OwnerHyderabad Municipal Corporation
OperatorHyderabad Cricket Association
TenantsHyderabad cricket team, Hyderabad Hawks, Pakistan
End names
Pavilion End
International information
First Test16 – 21 March 1973:
 Pakistan v  England
Last Test25 – 29 November 1984:
 Pakistan v  New Zealand
First ODI20 September 1982:
 Pakistan v  Australia
Last ODI24 January 2008:
 Pakistan v  Zimbabwe
As of 4 September 2020
Source: Niaz Stadium, ESPNcricinfo

Niaz Stadium is a cricket ground in Hyderabad, Pakistan. The ground can accommodate 15,000 spectators,[1] and hosted its first Test match in 1973.[2] It was established in November 1961 by the then Commissioner of Hyderabad, Niaz Ahmed, after whom the stadium is named.[3]

The first ever hat-trick in One Day Internationals was claimed at this ground by Pakistan's Jalal-ud-Din during Australia's 1982–83 tour of Pakistan.[4] Jalal-ud-Din removed Rod Marsh, Bruce Yardley, and Geoff Lawson with the last three balls of his seventh over.[5]

Niaz Stadium celebrated staging Test cricket's 1,000th match.[1] Pakistan has never lost a single match, whether a test or one-day, at this ground.

History

Niaz Stadium is situated in the heart of Hyderabad, one of the most populous cities in Pakistan. The stadium has been named after Niaz Ahmed, the late commissioner of Hyderabad, who was the motivating factor for building this stadium.[6]

The inaugural first-class match was played at Niaz Stadium between South Zone and the Pakistan Education Board (PEB) on March 16–18, 1962. Niaz Stadium became the 32nd first-class ground in Pakistan and the 2nd in Hyderabad.[6]

Only five Tests have so far been played at Hyderabad: two each against England and New Zealand, and one against India.[7]

The inaugural Test match at the ground took place from March 16 to 21, 1973, against England, and it resulted in a draw after big scoring. England picked up 487, with Dennis Amiss scoring 158. Pakistan, in reply, did even better, compiling 569 before declaring after nine wickets had fallen. Mushtaq Mohammad hit 157 and Intikhab Alam 138. England played out time by hitting 218 for six wickets for the match to end in a draw.[8]

The last Test played at Niaz Stadium was between Pakistan and New Zealand on November 25–29, 1984. Niaz Stadium celebrated staging Test cricket's 1000th match.

[9] With Pakistan winning the rubber with more than a day to spare, Javed Miandad became the second Pakistani after Hanif Mohammed to score a century in each innings of a Test. Niaz Stadium boasts of the fact that Pakistan never lost a Test or one-day international here.[6]

After a ten-year hiatus, an international match was played at the ground on January 24, 2008, between Pakistan and Zimbabwe. In April 2018, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the venue, along with several others in the country, would get a makeover to get them ready for future international matches and fixtures in the Pakistan Super League.[10]

Records and statistics

Test

One Day International

Key

Symbol Meaning
Date Day the Test started or ODI was held
Inn Innings in which five-wicket haul was taken
Overs Number of overs bowled.
Runs Number of runs conceded
Wkts Number of wickets taken
Econ Runs conceded per over
Batsmen Batsmen whose wickets were taken
Drawn The match was drawn.

Tests

Two five wicket hauls have been taken at Niaz Stadium:[21]

No. Bowler Date Team Opposing team Inn Overs Runs Wkts Econ Result
1 Pat Pocock 16 March 1973  England  Pakistan 2 52 169 5 3.25 Drawn
2 Abdul Qadir 2 January 1978  Pakistan  England 2 24 44 6 1.37 Drawn

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Paracha, Nadeem F. (10 March 2017). "Stadium stories: Famous Pakistan cricket grounds". Dawn. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Niaz Stadium". ESPNcricinfo. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Sindh govt plans to rebuild Niaz Stadium Hyderabad". ARY TV News website. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  4. ^ Khan, Mohammad Hussain (11 February 2023). "Hyderabad's Niaz Stadium longs for revival of cricket activities". DAWN.COM.
  5. ^ "The Afghan giant". ESPNcricinfo. 20 September 2005. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Khan, Mohammad Hussain (24 May 2015). "A part of history". Dawn. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  8. ^ "Full Scorecard of England vs Pakistan 2nd Test 1972/73 - Score Report". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo.
  10. ^ "Pakistan plans makeover for stadiums". International Cricket Council. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  11. ^ a b "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  12. ^ "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  13. ^ "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  14. ^ "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  15. ^ "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  17. ^ "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  18. ^ "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  19. ^ "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  20. ^ "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  21. ^ "Statistics – – Test Matches – Bowling Records". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 31 August 2019.