History Of The Sharjah Cricket Stadium:

Hey everyone, welcome back to SlogVlog! Today, we’re kicking off an exciting new series where we dive into the fascinating world of famous stadiums and the legendary matches that have taken place within their hallowed grounds. I know stadiums may not sound like the most thrilling topic, but trust me, I’ll do my best to make it as entertaining as a cricket match!

We’ll be exploring iconic stadiums from around the globe, delving into their rich history, unique features, and memorable moments that have left fans in awe. From the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London to the electric atmosphere of the MCG in Melbourne, there are so many incredible venues to discover.

We will be Starting off with the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

For the kids born after 2005, this stadium is like the ever-popular amusement park of cricket. Forget roller coasters; they had IPL matches in 2014, 2020, and 2021 to get their adrenaline pumping! Do y’all remember that magical Rahul Tewatia Innings in the 2020 IPL, where he hit 5 sixes in that Sheldon Cottrell over! That match was truly iconic and magical!

In 2014, the IPL had to take a little detour from India due to the Indian General Election. So, guess where they set up camp? You got it – the UAE and Sharjah Cricket Stadium were in the spotlight, shining like a cricketing superstar.

Early History Of The Sharjah Cricket Stadium:

The Iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium is a timeless gem that has stood the test of time like a fine vintage wine. Picture this – it was the early 1980s, and the world was grooving to disco beats and sporting extravagant hairstyles. In the midst of all that funky madness, this cricketing marvel was born.

Fast forward to today, and boy, has it evolved like a Pokémon on steroids! With countless improvements and upgrades, the Sharjah Cricket Stadium is now a modern-day cricketing coliseum. From hosting its first international matches in the Asia Cup back in April 1984, it has seen some of the most thrilling battles between cricketing giants.

Fast forward to 2020 and 2021, and the whole world was hit by the global pandemic. But did that stop IPL from delivering some cricketing action? No way! Once again, they packed their bags and headed straight to the UAE, with Sharjah Cricket Stadium playing the role of a loyal host along with the Dubai Int. Stadium and the Shaikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Pitch In Sharjah:

The Sharjah Cricket Stadium indeed offers a balanced surface that caters to both batsmen and bowlers in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). It has produced competitive matches where teams have had to work hard to achieve success.

The average first innings score of 223 suggests that teams have been able to post respectable totals batting first, setting up competitive contests. However, the pitch’s nature becomes slightly trickier for batting in the second innings, as the average score drops to below 200. This indicates that there might be some wear and tear on the pitch as the match progresses, making it conducive for the bowlers to exploit.

Spin bowlers tend to enjoy some assistance from the pitch at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. As the match wears on, the pitch might offer turn and grip, allowing spinners to come into play and trouble the batsmen. This aspect makes the middle and latter stages of the match intriguing, as spinners look to make an impact.

Interestingly, the ground stats at Sharjah suggest that teams batting first have had a slight advantage. This could be attributed to the conditions becoming more favorable for batting early in the match when the pitch is fresh and the outfield is not worn out. Captains winning the toss might often elect to bat first to take advantage of these conditions.

As cricket fans, we can look forward to exciting contests at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, with a fine balance between bat and ball. Matches played here are likely to test the skills and temperament of both batsmen and bowlers, creating thrilling moments for the spectators.

Test Cricket:

In 2002, when safety concerns made it tricky to host Test matches in Pakistan, Sharjah Cricket Stadium stepped up like a true hero. With its sandy pitches and desert charm, it became the neutral oasis for the two-Test series – Pakistan versus the West Indies in February and Pakistan against Australia in October.

The decision to choose Sharjah as a neutral venue was nothing short of brilliant. It ensured the safety of the players, the spectators, and the spirit of cricket itself. Imagine cricket acting as a peace ambassador, bridging gaps, and bringing nations together in the face of adversity!

The fifth Test match which this iconic ground hosted took place in November 2011, was between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

ODI Cricket:

Between the years 1984-2003, The Sharjah Cricket Stadium hosted 206 One Day Internationals (ODI). It’s safe to say that cricketing history was written here with every delivery, boundary, and wicket.

But there’s one series that stands out like a sore thumb (or should we say a sore wicket?) – the iconic Coca-Cola Cup in 1998. For Indian cricket fans who lived and breathed cricket in the 90s, this series was nothing short of legendary. And the Mighty Aussies would never want to remember this cup 😉.

Sharjah Cricket Stadium holds a distinguished reputation as a highly favored venue, primarily drawing its devoted audience from the South Asian population residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Organized by “The Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS),” an initiative established in 1981 by the esteemed Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, the tournaments hosted at the stadium have been synonymous with remarkable cricketing moments. The CBFS was founded with the noble objective of providing support to cricketers in need and promoting the sport’s growth in the region. Under the visionary leadership of Bukhatir, Sharjah Cricket Stadium emerged as a bustling hub of cricketing excellence, showcasing the talents of some of the world’s finest cricketers. While the prominence of Sharjah as a cricketing center has somewhat waned in recent years due to the emergence of other venues, its historical significance and cherished memories remain evergreen in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

Abdul Rahman Bukhatir’s primary objective was to pay tribute to cricketers of both past and present generations from India and Pakistan. He accomplished this by awarding benefit purses in acknowledgment of their invaluable contributions to the game of cricket. Through “The Cricketers Benefit Fund Series (CBFS),” established in 1981, Bukhatir sought to honor the dedication and service of these cricketing icons and provide them with well-deserved recognition for their remarkable achievements on the field. This noble initiative not only celebrated the sporting excellence of these players but also demonstrated a deep appreciation for their significant impact on the sport, fostering a sense of gratitude and admiration within the cricketing community.

Back in the early days, this legendary stadium may have had just a few limited seats and modest facilities.

As the cricketing craze swept the globe, so did the fame of Sharjah Cricket Stadium. With every electrifying match and unforgettable moment, its popularity soared higher than a sixer sailing over the boundary.

By 2002, the stadium had undergone a spectacular transformation. The once modest seating capacity had blossomed to 17,000 and floodlights lit up the night sky, turning the stadium into a cricketing paradise even after the sun had set.

Since 2003, not many major International matches have been played in this stadium. Yes, the ICC 2004 Intercontinental Cup was played here and also the Afghanistan Cricket team played matches here. As of December 2019, 240 ODI’s have been played at this venue.

T20 Cricket:

Not many T20s have been played here. Most of the T20s played here were during the 2021 T20 WC and of course, many franchise leagues.

The Sachin Tendulkar Stand:

On the momentous occasion of his 50th Birthday, April 24th, 2023, the Indian Batting Legend and widely regarded as The God Of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, received a befitting tribute at the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. In a heartwarming gesture, the West Stand of the stadium was renamed the Sachin Tendulkar Stand, forever immortalizing the cricketer’s immense contribution to the sport.

Hey guys, hope you enjoyed reading this blog post! I know this isn’t the most interesting topic, but I’ve tried to make it fun. Hope y’all enjoyed it!

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