Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground is a picturesque cricket ground located in Kirtipur, Nepal.
Popularly known as TU Cricket Ground, the ground was established in 1998 and has a seating capacity of 13,000.
The first recorded match played at the TU Cricket Ground was when Bangladesh played Papua New Guinea in the ACC Trophy 1998.
It later hosted several international competitions, including the 2010 ICC World Cricket League Division Five and the 2015-17 ICC World Cricket League Championship.
The Kirtipur Cricket Stadium staged its first one-day international in February 2020 between hosts Nepal and Oman in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2. Oman won the match by 18 runs.
Since then, it has hosted more than 25 ODIs in men’s international cricket so far. Let’s have a look at TU Cricket Ground ODI records and stats:
TU Cricket Ground ODI records and stats
Highest team total
The United Arab Emirates national cricket team holds the record for the highest team total at the TU Cricket Ground in ODI cricket. During an ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 game in March 2023, the Muhammad Waseem-led UAE posted 310/6 in their 50 overs against hosts Nepal. Electing to bat first, the visitors rode on Asif Khan’s unbeaten 42-ball 101, Vriitya Aravind’s 94 and skipper Muhammad Waseem’s 63 to register a record ODI total at the venue. In reply, Nepal managed 269/6 in 44 overs before the match was called off as it was too dark to continue. Interestingly, the hosts were ahead as per DLS method and they won the game by nine runs. Nepal have also posted a total of 310 at this venue albeit for the loss of eight wickets en route to an 84-win victory over Oman in the 2023 ACC Men's Premier Cup.
Lowest team total
The United States national cricket team registered the lowest team total at the TU Cricket Ground in the ODI format. Put into bat, USA were bundled out for 35 in 12 overs by Nepal during an ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 match in February 2020. Opener Xavier Marshall top-scored for USA with 16 and was the only batter to reach double digits. For Nepal, leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane picked up six wickets while Sushan Bhari took four scalps. Nepal later chased down the target in just 5.2 overs as the hosts won the match by eight wickets.
Most runs
Nepal cricket team captain Rohit Paudel has scored the most runs at this venue in ODI cricket. Between 2020 and 2024, the right-handed batter amassed 634 runs in 19 matches at an average of 39.62. He’s slammed one hundred and four fifties in the ODI format on this ground. Another Nepal batter Kushal Bhurtel is second on the list with 418 runs in 17 ODIs on this ground.
Most wickets
Former Nepal cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane bagged the most wickets at the TU Cricket Ground in ODI cricket. The right-arm leg-spinner picked up 40 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 17.20 and an economy of 4.64 between 2020 and 2023. He registered best bowling figures of 6/16 on this ground in the ODI format. Compatriot Karan Khatri Chhetri features second on the list with 23 wickets in 14 ODIs.
Highest individual score
Namibia’s Michael van Lingen recorded the highest individual score at this venue in the ODI format. Batting at number three, the left-handed batter scored 133 off 137 balls against Nepal during an ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 game in 2023. Michael van Lingen’s scintillating knock was laced with nine fours and five maximums. His hundred helped Namibia post 285 in their 50 overs. However, van Lingen’s ton later went in vain as Nepal chased down the target to secure a two-wicket win in Kirtipur.
Best bowling figures
Sandeep Lamichhane registered the best bowling figures at the TU Cricket Ground in ODI cricket. Lamichhane recorded magnificent figures of 6/16 against USA
during an ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 match in 2020. The former leg-spinner dismissed Ian Holland, Monank Patel, Nisarg Patel, Akshay Homraj, Timil Patel and Nosthush Kenjige to bowl out USA for 35 in just 12 overs. The Gyanendra Malla-led Nepal won the game by eight wickets.
Highest partnership
Oman’s Zeeshan Maqsood and Aqib Ilyas hold the record for the highest partnership at TU Cricket Ground in the ODI format. During an ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 encounter in 2020, captain Zeeshan Maqsood and Aqib Ilyas forged a 216-run partnership for the third wicket against the United States. Maqsood slammed 109 while Ilyas hammered 105 to help power Oman to 276/6 in their 50 overs. In reply, the United States were skittled out for 184 as Oman won the match by 92 runs.
Photo credit: Alamy
