Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is a cricket stadium located in Rawalpindi, Punjab province of Pakistan. It is located close to Pir Meher Ali Shah University and Rawalpindi Arts Council and has an estimated capacity of 15,000. The first international match at the stadium was played on 19 January 1992, when Sri Lanka faced Pakistan in an ODI. The stadium hosted its first Test match in 1993, when Zimbabwe toured Pakistan.
Test cricket returned to Pakistan during the 2019 two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The first test match was held from 11âÂÂ15 December 2019 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium was established in 1992 and replaced Pindi Club Ground as an international stadium.
It is the home ground of Islamabad United and Northern cricket team. Before the construction of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi Club Cricket Ground had been used as a venue for international matches, including one Test match against New Zealand that was held in March 1965.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium was a prime spot in the 1995âÂÂ96 Cricket World Cup. With an eye on the that World Cup, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled a new Test venue for the second Test against Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi, becoming the country's 14th Test ground. The floodlights were added in late 2001 when the Australians were set to tour the region. The stadium is just 20 minutes from the capital Islamabad.
This stadium was the home ground and international debut ground of the world's fastest bowler Shoaib Akhtar who is nicknamed the Rawalpindi Express.
In the 2nd ODI of 2004 Samsung ODI series, while other Indian batters are getting struggling with the pace and spin attack of Pakistan, Sachin Tendulkar played a courageous knock of 141 (135) in this ground.
In April 2018, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the venue, along with several others in the country, would get a makeover to get them ready for future international matches and fixtures in the Pakistan Super League.
In October 2019, the PCB proposed hosting the two Test matches in Pakistan, instead of the UAE, at venues in Rawalpindi and Karachi. Sri Lanka Cricket said that they were "very positive" with regards to the progress of playing Test cricket in Pakistan. In November 2019, the PCB confirmed the dates and venues for the Test series, with the first test match taking place in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 11 to 15 December. It was the first test match played at this venue after 15 years and first International match after 13 years.
In preparation for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) renovates the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to meet international standards. Initially budgeted at PKR 1.5 billion, costs rose to PKR 18 billion due to additional upgrades across multiple venues like Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore and National Stadium, Karachi. The refurbishment includes an upgraded main pavilion and media boxes, new seating, 350 LED floodlights, and improved hospitality boxes. Despite concerns about delays, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has assured timely completion. The stadium hosts three group-stage matches, featuring teams like Pakistan, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Bangladesh.
On 8 May 2025 during the 2025 IndiaâÂÂPakistan strikes, a drone from India landed inside the stadium complex before the start of a Pakistan Super League Twenty20 match, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board to transfer the games to the United Arab Emirates.
This Stadium hosted three ODI matches during the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
23 five-wicket hauls have been taken in Test matches at the ground.
Five five-wicket hauls have been taken in One Day Internationals at the ground.