// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium say? "I'm a pitch-perfect venue
شعیب اختر سٹیڈیم | |
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 Interactive map of Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium | |
Former names | KRL Cricket Stadium |
|---|---|
| Location | KRL Road, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Coordinates | 33°37′08″N 73°06′20″E / 33.61895893598604°N 73.10558050908493°E |
| Owner | Khan Research Laboratories |
| Tenants | |
| Khan Research Laboratories cricket team Pakistan national cricket team | |
The Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, formerly known as the Khan Research Laboratories Cricket Stadium, is a cricket ground in Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan. It has hosted domestic first-class and limited-overs cricket and has served as a home ground of the Khan Research Laboratories cricket team.[1] The venue is distinct from the KRL Football Stadium.[2][3][4]
At first named after Pakistan's nuclear enrichment facility Khan Research Laboratories, it was renamed Shoaib Akhtar Stadium in honour of the tearaway Pakistani fast bowler in March 2021.[5]
History
[edit]Recorded matches at the ground were held since the 1987–88 season, and it was named as Khan Research Laboratories Ground and Dr AQ Khan Ground.[1] By January 1992, it was being used for representative cricket, including a match between Islamabad Under-19s and England Under-19s.[6]
The venue subsequently staged first-class and List A fixtures involving departmental and regional teams.[1][7]
The ground continued to be used for major domestic cricket during the 2000s and 2010s. It hosted Patron's Cup cricket in February 2006,[8] and was among the venues for the 2019–20 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.[9] Matches were also transferred there during the 2020 National Under-19 Tournament after weather disrupted the Lahore programme.[10]
The name was changed to Shoaib Akhtar Stadium in March 2021.[5][11] It remained a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy venue in the 2025–26 season.[12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Khan Research Laboratories Ground, Rawalpindi". CricketArchive. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- ↑ "Schedule Of President Trophy Grade I , Inter Reg/Dep one day & three day tournaments". pcb.com.pk. 27 September 2012.
- ↑ Reporter, The Newspaper's Sports (8 November 2012). "Army win to draw level with KRL". Dawn. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- ↑ "Kaleemullah, Sanaullah record hat-tricks". Dawn. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- 1 2 "Rawalpindi KRL Stadium renamed after Shoaib Akhtar". The News International. 13 March 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- ↑ "England Under-19s in Pakistan 1991/92". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- ↑ "Nationwide uniform pitches can promote cricket in Pakistan". ESPNcricinfo. 8 March 2000. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- ↑ "Patron's Cup One-day from today". Dawn. 4 February 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- ↑ "Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2019/20". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- ↑ Ali, Sohail (12 November 2020). "National U19 Tournament matches shifted to Islamabad and Rawalpindi". Associated Press of Pakistan. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- ↑ "WAPDA–KRL match tied in President's Cup". Pakistan Cricket Board. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
- ↑ "PCB announces Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025–26". Business Recorder. 30 September 2025. Retrieved 4 September 2026.