The Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium is a cricketing venue situated in the Hambantota district of the Southern Province in Sri Lanka.
Having a capacity of 35,000, the stadium was built ahead of the ICC World Cup 2011, with an eye on the development of the Southern Province as another major sporting hub of the country.
As far as ICC events are concerned, the venue has hosted two matches of the 2011 World Cup in addition to three matches of the T20 World Cup 2012.
The venue has regularly hosted matches of the Lanka Premier League since its inception in 2020, with the inaugural edition being wholly held here owing to the prevailing COVID-19 restrictions in the country at that time.
Here are the T20 records at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium:
Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium T20 records
Highest total
The highest total in a T20I match at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium is 182/4 made by Sri Lanka against Zimbabwe in the first match of the T20 World Cup 2012.
An all-round batting performance helped the Lankans post a total of 182/4, which was defended comfortably to register an 82-run win.
In T20s, Lanka Premier League teams Kandy Warriors and Colombo Stars hold the joint record for the highest total, which is 219 runs. The opening match of the tournament’s inaugural edition saw the two teams clash in a high-scoring draw. Kings won the deciding super-over.
Lowest total
The lowest total in a T20I match at the Mahinda Rajapaksa stadium is 93/8 made by Zimbabwe against South Africa in the 2012 ICC World Twenty20.
A resilient bowling show restricted the Chevrons to a mediocre total as the Proteas cruised to a 10-wicket win.
In T20s, LPL side Colombo Stars hold the unwanted record. In a match against Kandy Falcons in December 2022, the Stars were bundled out for 90 runs while chasing 200, facing a huge 109-run defeat in the process.
Highest individual score
South Africa batter Faf du Plessis holds the record for the highest individual score in a T20I at this stadium.
Leading his side, du Plessis scored a 65-ball 85 against the hosts in the third T20I of the 2013 South Africa tour of Sri Lanka. However, his efforts went in vain as Sri Lanka emerged victorious by six wickets
Former Colombo Kings batter Laurie Evans’ 108* is the record for the highest individual score as far as the T20s are concerned, with the match-winning knock coming against Jaffna Stallions in the first edition of LPL.
Best bowling
Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis holds the record for best bowling figures in a T20I match at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium.
In the same match where Sri Lanka registered the highest total in a T20I at the stadium, Mendis’ spell of 6/8 deservedly got him the Man of the match award.
In T20s, pacer Nuwan Thushara holds the record. The former Galle Gladiators seamer took 5/13 against Jaffna Kings in the Qualifier 1 match of the LPL 2021, powering his team to a 64-run win.
Highest partnership
South African duo Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy hold the record for the highest partnership in T20Is when they stitched together a 112-run stand in the same match where the skipper scored the highest individual score at the venue.
In T20s, Kandy Falcons’ Pathum Nissanka and Andre Fletcher hold the record. The opening partnership of 156 runs came versus Colombo Stars in LPL 2022.
Photo credit: Alamy
