The T20I series between Afghanistan and Ireland is set to kick off on March 15 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The venue is slated to host all three matches of the series. The same venue hosted the ODI series between the two sides, which was clinched by the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side by 2-0. Ahead of the AFG vs IRE T20I series, let’s analyze the conditions at the venue, such as the Sharjah Cricket Stadium pitch report. In this article, we have also provided T20 stats and the last T20 match scorecard at the Sharjah ground.
The Sharjah Cricket Stadium is one of the three international stadiums in the UAE. The stadium has been hosting T20 international matches since 2013, while the first-ever Test match at the venue was played in 2002. In addition to international matches, the ground also hosts various T20 leagues and has hosted IPL games in a couple of seasons.
Sharjah Stadium T20 Records
So far, 35 T20I matches have been played at Sharjah. The batting first teams have enjoyed success more times.
- Matches Played: 35
- Won by the team batting first: 19
- Won by the team batting second: 15
- No Result/Tied: 1
- Biggest score while batting first: Afghanistan – 215/6 (20) vs Zimbabwe, 2016
- Lowest score while batting first: Netherlands – 44/10 (20) vs Srilanka, 2021
- Biggest total chased: Sri Lanka chased 175 vs Afghanistan, 2022
- Lowest Score Defended: Afghanistan defended 132 vs Scotland, 2013
- Sharjah Cricket Stadium average 1st innings score in T20I: 151
- Sharjah Cricket Stadium average 2nd innings score in T20I: 121
- Best figures for a Pacer: Naveen-ul-Haq (Afghanistan) – 4/20 vs UAE, 2024
- Best figures for a Spinner: Samiullah Shinwari (Afghanistan) – 5/13 vs Kenya, 2013
- Highest score by a Batter: Mohammad Shahzad (Afghanistan) – 118*(67) vs Zimbabwe, 2016
Sharjah Cricket Stadium Pitch Report for AFG vs IRE T20
The Sharjah Cricket Stadium is a relatively small venue in terms of ground dimensions. A well-timed shot often clears the boundary ropes and sometimes even exits the stadium. However, due to the humid conditions, there will be assistance for the bowlers, particularly spinners.
The compact size of the ground favors the batsmen, but the pitch conditions tilt in favor of the bowlers. Teams batting first will aim to score 160 or higher. Chasing a total might be a bit challenging here, so the team winning the toss may opt to bat first.
Sharjah Cricket Stadium Last T20 Match Scorecard
Sharjah hosted a T20I series between UAE and Afghanistan in January 2024. The series decider was a low-scoring clash in which the hosts managed to put only 126 runs on the board. Afghanistan started their innings well but encountered some trouble during the climax of the game. However, they managed to chase the target with 9 balls to spare.
| UAE: 126-9 (20) | Afghanistan: 128-6 (18.3) |
| Muhammad Waseem: 27(25) | Hazratullah Zarai: 36(32) |
| Ali Naseer: 21(22) | Najibullah Zadran: 28*(13) |
| Muhammad Jawadullah: 13*(11) | Ibrahim Zadran: 23(20) |
| Naveen-ul-Haq: 4 – 0 – 20 – 4 | Junaid Siddique: 3.3 – 0 – 32 – 2 |
| Qais Ahmad: 4 – 0 – 24 – 3 | Dhruv Parasher: 3 – 0 – 14 – 1 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai: 4 – 0 – 32 – 2 | Ali Naseer: 4 – 0 – 24 – 1 |
| Match Result: Afghanistan won by 4 wickets. |