Sharjah Cricket Stadium: Ground Guide and History

Sharjah Cricket Stadium is one of the most famous one-day cricket venues in the world. Built in the desert emirate of Sharjah, it became a major centre for the limited-overs game in the 1980s and 1990s and produced some of the sport’s most remembered moments.

History

The stadium was established in 1982, built by the businessman Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, whose backing helped turn Sharjah into a hub for international cricket. India and Pakistan, who rarely met on neutral turf elsewhere, played regularly at the ground, and the matches drew large expatriate crowds from South Asia.

The stadium hosted the 1984 Asia Cup, one of its earliest big tournaments.

Famous moments

In April 1986, Javed Miandad hit a six off the final ball of the Austral-Asia Cup final to give Pakistan a one-wicket victory over India. It remains one of the most celebrated finishes in one-day cricket.

In April 1998, Sachin Tendulkar produced his Desert Storm innings, scoring 143 against Australia in the group stage and 134 in the final of the Coca-Cola Cup. Both innings are regarded among his finest.

Pitch and conditions

The pitch is typically slow and low, and spin often plays a large role. Scoring can be difficult, especially against the older ball, and the heat and the use of floodlights bring dew into play in the evening. Sides who read the conditions well tend to do best.

Why it matters

Though it is smaller than many modern stadiums, Sharjah’s influence on cricket’s history is large. It helped bring the sport to the Gulf, and its contests between traditional rivals became part of cricketing folklore. The ground has continued to host matches in the UAE’s international calendar.