As of 31 May 2015
Source: Cricinfo

Gaddafi Stadium (Urdu: قذافی اسٹیڈیم‎ / ALA-LC: Qaẕẕāfī Isṭeḍiyam) is a cricket ground in Lahore, Pakistan. It was designed by famous architect and engineer Nasreddin Murat-Khan, and constructed by Mian Abdul Khaliq and Company in 1959. The ground was renovated for the 1996 Cricket World Cup when it hosted the final. It is also the largest cricket stadium in Pakistan and was the fifth largest in the world with a capacity of 60,000 spectators, until renovation brought down the capacity to 27,000.

Ground history

 

Gaddafi Stadium at night

Originally Lahore Stadium, was renamed in 1974 in honour of the formerLibyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi following a speech he gave at the 2nd Organisation of the Islamic Conference meeting in Lahore in favour of Pakistan's right to pursue nuclear weapons.^[3] The stadium houses the headquarters of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

In 1995–96, the Gaddafi Stadium was renovated by architect Nayyar Ali Dadafor the 1996 Cricket World Cup. Dada's redesign was done in the Mughal style, with red, hand-laid brickwork and arches. Dada also had plastic seating installed in place of the existing concrete benches. The lower portion under the stands was enclosed and converted to shops for boutiques and offices. Gaddafi Stadium was the first in Pakistan to be equipped with modern floodlights having their own standby power generators.^[4]

On 23 October 2011 the Pakistan Cricket Board discussed renaming the stadium following the death of Gaddafi, to support the new government in Libya. The Punjab Olympic Association made a similar request in late October 2011 to the provincial chief minister, "I don't think his profile is inspirational enough to link with our cricket stadium's identity." As of April 2012, however, it does not appear that the stadium's name will be changed after all.^[5]

Cricket history

 

Three hat-tricks have been taken at the stadium, by Peter Petherick of New Zealand against Pakistan, 9 October 1976, Wasim Akram of Pakistan against Sri Lanka, 6 March 1999 and Mohammad Sami of Pakistan against Sri Lanka.^[6]

Pakistan has enjoyed some memorable moments on the ground, including a fifth-wicket stand of 281 between Javed Miandadand Asif Iqbal against New Zealand in 1976 and an innings and 324 run win against New Zealand in 2002.^[7]

On 3 March 2009, the scheduled third day of second Test of 2008–09 Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan, the Sri Lankan team's convoy was attacked by armed militants at Liberty Roundabout, near Gaddafi stadium. Eight Sri Lankan players were injured, including Sri Lankan captain, Mahela Jayawardene. The Sri Lankan team was air-lifted from Gaddafi Stadium to a nearby airbase, from where they were evacuated back to Sri Lanka, this event marked the end of international cricket in Pakistan.

However, on 19 May 2015, the Zimbabwe cricket team landed at the Allama Iqbal International Airport to become the first Full Member nation to tour Pakistan since March 2009.^[8]

Records

^{[citation needed]}

Test

• Highest team total: 699, by Pakistan against India in 1989
• Lowest team total: 73, by New Zealand against Pakistan in 2002.
• Highest individual score: 329, by Inzamam-ul-Haq against New Zealand in 2002.

One Day International

• Highest team total: 375, by Pakistan against Zimbabwe, 26 May 2015.
• Lowest team total: 75, by Pakistan against Sri Lanka, 22 January 2009.
• Highest individual score: 139*, by Ijaz Ahmed against India, 2 October 1997.

T20 International

• Highest team total: 176, by Pakistan against Zimbabwe, 24 May 2015.
• Lowest team total: 172, by Zimbabwe against Pakistan, 22 May 2015.
• Highest individual score: 83, by Mukhtar Ahmed against Zimbabwe, 22 May 2015.