The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is an iconic cricket ground located in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Established in November 2009, the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium has a seating capacity of 35,000.
The Kandy cricket stadium was one of the sporting venues built for the Cricket World Cup 2011 hosted by Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh.
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium staged its first international match in 2010, a Test between Sri Lanka and West Indies.
It later hosted its first One-Day International (ODI) played between Pakistan and New Zealand during a Group A match at Cricket World Cup 2011. Since then, the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium has staged more than 30 ODIs.
Here, we have a closer look at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium ODI records and stats:
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium ODI records and stats
Highest team total
The South Africa national cricket team holds the record for the highest team total at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in ODI cricket. During the third ODI of South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2018, the visitors posted a mammoth total of 363/7 in their allotted 50 overs. Put in to bat, South Africa rode on Reeza Hendricks’ 102, along with contributions from Jean-Paul Duminy (92), Hashim Amla (59) and David Miller (51) to record the highest ODI total at Kandy cricket stadium. South Africa later bowled out Sri Lanka for 285 in 45.2 overs to register a 78-run victory. South Africa won the five-match ODI series 3-2.
Lowest team total
The Zimbabwe national cricket team owns the record for the lowest team total at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in the 50-over format. Chasing a target of 255, Zimbabwe was bowled out for 70 against Sri Lanka during the third ODI in 2022. Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay was the wrecker-in-chief for Sri Lanka as he scalped four wickets for just 10 runs in his 7.4 overs. Takudzwanashe Kaitano (19) and Ryan Burl (15) were the only two Zimbabwean batters to record double digit scores. With a massive 184-run victory, Sri Lanka clinched the three-match ODI series 2-1.
Most runs
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan currently holds the record for most ODI runs at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Between 2011 and 2015, the swashbuckling Sri Lankan batter amassed 939 runs in 15 matches at an average of 78.25 and a strike rate of 90.02. He slammed five hundreds and two fifties at this venue in ODI cricket.
Most wickets
Legendary Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga has the most ODI wickets at Kandy cricket ground. The former right-arm pacer picked up 24 wickets in 16 ODIs at an average of 27.29 and an economy of 5.45. His best ODI bowling figures of 6-1-24-4 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium came against South Africa in 2014.
Highest individual score
Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran recorded the highest individual score at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in ODI cricket. Opening the innings, Ibrahim Zadran smashed 162 off just 138 balls during the third ODI of Afghanistan’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2022. His magnificent knock included 15 fours and four sixes. Despite Ibrahim Zadran’s scintillating knock, Afghanistan suffered a four-wicket defeat in Kandy. The three-match ODI series ended 1-1.
Best bowling figures
Former Australian speedster Mitchell Johnson holds the best bowling figures record at this ground in ODI cricket. During the first ODI of Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2011, Mitchell Johnson bagged six wickets for 31 runs in his quota of 10 overs to bowl out the hosts for 191 in 41.1 overs. Australia later chased down the required target in 38.1 overs to secure a comprehensive seven-wicket win in Kandy. The likes of Thisara Perera, Chris Woakes and Akila Dananjaya have also claimed six-wicket hauls at this venue in ODIs.
Highest partnership
Sri Lanka’s Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan hold the record for the highest partnership at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in ODI cricket. Tharanga and Dilshan put on a massive 282-run opening stand against Zimbabwe during an ICC Cricket World Cup clash in 2011. While Tharanga scored 133, Dilshan hammered 144 to power Sri Lanka to 327/6 in 50 overs. Later, Sri Lanka bowled out Zimbabwe for 188 to register a 139-run victory in Kandy.
Photo credit: Alamy
