On Wednesday, November 6, Sharjah Cricket Stadium achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first stadium in the world to host 300 international matches. This achievement came as Afghanistan took on Bangladesh at the iconic UAE venue, surpassing Australia’s legendary Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), which has hosted 291 matches, to claim this unique record.
Sharjah Cricket Stadium’s Journey to 300 Matches
Sharjah Cricket Stadium first opened its doors to international cricket in 1984 with a match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Over the decades, the stadium has been a mainstay of international cricket, hosting a total of 253 ODIs, 38 T20Is, and 8 Test matches. Here’s a look at the list of venues that have hosted the most international matches:
| Stadium | Matches |
|---|---|
| Sharjah Stadium, UAE | 300 |
| Sydney Cricket Ground | 291 |
| Melbourne Cricket Ground | 287 |
| Harare Sports Club | 267 |
| Lord’s Cricket Ground | 227 |
Memorable Moments at Sharjah
Known for its rich history and unforgettable matches, Sharjah holds a special place in cricket history. In ODIs, the highest total at Sharjah was Pakistan’s 364 against New Zealand, while the lowest was India’s 54 all out against Sri Lanka.
One of the stadium’s most iconic moments came in 1998 when Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar scored an unforgettable 143 against Australia in what is now known as the “desert storm” innings. Honoring his legacy, the Sharjah Cricket Stadium inaugurated the “Sachin Tendulkar Stand” in 2023 to celebrate the Master Blaster’s 50th birthday.
Sharjah’s Contribution to Afghan Cricket
In 2010, under the guidance of UAE cricket promoter Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, the stadium became the official home ground for Afghanistan, offering them a venue for both ODIs and first-class matches. Though the team shifted to Greater Noida Stadium in 2016, Sharjah remains a pivotal part of Afghan cricket’s history.
Sharjah Cricket Stadium continues to be a central part of global cricket, hosting teams from around the world and earning a place in history as the first ground to reach the 300-match milestone.