Sheikh Zayed Stadium Abu Dhabi Pitch Report for IPL 2021 and T20 Records

Phase-2 of the IPL 2021 is all set to kick-off from Sunday, September 19 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Sheikh Zayed Stadium Abu Dhabi will host its first match on September 20. The Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders encounter will be the first match to be played in the stadium. This article covers the T20 records of the Abu Dhabi Cricket ground and its Pitch Report for IPL 2021.

A total of eight IPL 2021 games are to be played in Sheikh Zayed Stadium Abu Dhabi. Both KKR and MI will play 3 out of their remaining 7 matches in Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Cricket Stadium IPL 2020 Records

• Total Matches: 22
• Matches won by the team batting first: 8 + (1 in super over) = 9
• Matches won by the team batting second: 13
• Tied Matches: 1 (went for Super Over)
• Highest team score while batting first: Mumbai Indians – 195/5 vs RR
• Highest team score while batting second (in defeat): SRH – 172/8 when chasing Delhi’s 189
• Lowest team score while batting first: KKR – 84/8 vs RCB
• Lowest team score while batting second (in defeat): RR – 136/10 when chasing MI’s 193
• Biggest total chased: Rajasthan chased MI’s 195
• Lowest Total Defended: SRH defended 162 vs DC
• Dubai Cricket Stadium average first innings score in IPL: 162
• Dubai Cricket Stadium average second innings score in IPL: 153
• Best bowling figures for a spinner: Varun Chakravarthy (KKR) – 5/20 vs DC
• Best bowling figures for a pacer: Jasprit Bumrah (MI) – 4/20 vs RR
• Total wickets taken by spinners: 69 (3.1 wickets per match)
• Total wickets taken by pacers: 147 (6.6 wickets per match)
• The fifties scored by batsmen: 41 (Average 2 fifties per match)
• Highest individual score: Ben Stokes (RR) – 107*(60) vs MI

International T20 Records at Sheikh Zayed Stadium Abu Dhabi

Scoring Pattern

Below Score 150: 31

Score between 150 and 169: 9

Score between 170 and 189: 3

Above Score 190: 3

Abu Dhabi Pitch Report for IPL 2021

The Pitch at Abu Dhabi is a two-paced surface hence batsmen find it difficult to play their shots. Judging the pace of the ball becomes difficult here for the batsmen as some of the deliveries hold up while some come along with the expected pace. Hence the batsmen generally look forward to targeting the spinners here.

The dew plays a major role in the outcome of the matches in Abu Dhabi, therefore the toss becomes crucial. With the average temperature decreasing in September-October the chances of dew will increase. Hence, winning the toss and batting first should be the way to go here.

The pacers are most likely to get more wickets with the sort of help from the surface. Big scores of 200+ runs are unlikely to be seen here due to the big boundaries in the stadium. However, it was seen during the PSL this year that the pitch had become better for T20 cricket. The average first innings score rose up 171 this PSL season & it’s certainly an indication of a better batting surface. It would be interesting to see if the pitch had gotten any better. The first match in Abu Dhabi- Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders- would itself make it clear with the sort of firepower in both the batting line-ups.

ALSO READ: Dubai International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report for IPL 2021 and T20 Records

Abu Dhabi IPL 2021 Schedule