Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium T20I records: Most wickets, most runs and more

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is located in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The stadium was established in 1992 and can hold around 15,000 spectators. It has a long history of hosting international matches.

It was one of the venues used for the 1996 Men’s Cricket World Cup hosted jointly by India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. However, it was only in 2020 that Rawalpindi, the home ground of former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar, hosted its first T20I International (T20I) match. 

The three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe was played at the flood-lit Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in 2020, which Pakistan won 3-0. Those remain the only T20I matches played at the venue so far.

Here’s a look at all the ODI records at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium T20I records

Most runs

New Zealand's Mark Chapman, with 175 runs from two innings, has scored the most runs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. He has smashed one century and one fifty on this ground and has scored his runs at a strike rate of 176.76. The Kiwi batter has never been dismissed on this ground.

Most wickets

Pakistani wrist spinner Usman Qadir, son of legendary leg spinner Abdul Qadir, has taken eight wickets at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from three matches played. Usman Qadir took his wickets at an average of 7.50 and an economy of 5.45.

Highest individual score

New Zealand batter Mark Chapman boasts the highest individual score in T20Is at this venue. Chasing 194 in the fifth match of a five-match series, Chapman produced a wonderful unbeaten knock of 104 off 57 balls. His innings featured 11 fours as well as four sixes and helped the Kiwis win the game by six wickets. 

Best bowling figures

Spinner Usman Qadir produced figures of 4/13 in the third match of a bilateral series against Zimbabwe in November 2020. Usman Qadir dismissed Chamu Chibhabha, Milton Shumba, Wessly Madhevere, and Elton Chigumbura and his spell is the best individual bowling performance in T20Is at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Highest team total

The fifth T20I of a five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand in 2023 saw the latter smash the record for the highest team total at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Chasing 194, New Zealand powered by a Mark Chapman century and a 25-ball 45, reached the target with six wickets to spare and it is the highest team total in T20Is on this ground.

Lowest team total

Batting first in the third T20I match of the series against Pakistan in 2020, Zimbabwe crawled to a total of 129/9 in 20 overs after being reduced to 87/7 in 15 overs. Pakistani leg-spinner Usman Qadir starred with the ball by taking 4/13. Pakistan won the match by eight wickets and more than four overs to spare. 

Highest partnership  

The highest partnership at this venue in T20Is was forged by Mark Chapman and Jimmy Neesham in the fifth T20I of a five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand in 2023. Set a target of 194 to chase, the Kiwi duo joined each other in the middle with the score on 73 for 4 before putting on an unbeaten 121-run stand for the fifth wicket to help New Zealand to victory. While Chapman was 104 off 57 balls not out, Neesham scored an unbeaten 45.

Photo credit: Alamy