The Sheikh Zayed Stadium is arguably one of the world's finest cricket grounds located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Established in 2004, the Sheikh Zayed Stadium was built by South African construction company Concor for $23 million.

With a seating capacity of around 20,000, the Abu Dhabi cricket stadium has a large stand at either end, with the areas square of the wicket offering large grass banking for additional seating.

The Sheikh Zayed Stadium staged its first international cricket match, a one-day international (ODI) played between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in April 2006. Pakistan won the match by six wickets.

Four years later, it later hosted its first T20 international played between Afghanistan and Scotland during an ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in February 2010.

Few months later, it hosted its first Test match that involved Pakistan and South Africa. The match ended in a draw. Since then, it has staged 15 Tests at this venue in men’s cricket. 

Let’s have a look at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium Test records and stats:

Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi Test records and stats

Highest total

The England cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Test cricket. During the first Test of England’s tour of the United Arab Emirates in 2015, the Alastair Cook-led visitors posted a huge total of 598/9d in their first innings against Pakistan. Captain Alastair Cook led from the front as he slammed 263, along with contributions from Joe Root (85), Ian Bell (63) and Ben Stokes (57) to help England register a record Test total at the venue. Earlier, Pakistan scored 523/8d in their first innings before they were bundled out for 173 in their second innings. The Abu Dhabi Test later ended in a draw.

Lowest total

England registered the lowest total at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Tests. Chasing 145 in the fourth innings, England were skittled out for 72 in 36.1 overs by Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in 2012. Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman was the wrecker-in-chief for Pakistan as he picked up six wickets for 25 runs. For England, captain Andrew Strauss top-scored with 32. Earlier, Pakistan managed 257 in their first innings before bowling out England for 327. Pakistan scored 214 in their second innings to set-up a target of 145. Pakistan won the Test by 72 runs and later clinched the three-match series 3-0.

Most runs

Former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali scored the most runs at this ground in cricket’s longest format. The right-handed batter has accumulated 1,086 runs in 11 Test matches at an impressive average of 57.15. Azhar Ali has also slammed three hundreds and eight fifties at this venue in Test cricket. His former teammate Misbah-ul-Haq is second on the list with 994 runs in nine Test matches at a staggering average of 99.40.

Most wickets

Former Pakistan cricketer Yasir Shah picked up the most wickets at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Test cricket. Between 2014 and 2018, the leg-spinner bagged 46 wickets in seven matches at an average of 23.54. He claimed two four-wicket hauls and three fifers at this venue in Tests. Compatriot Zulfiqar Babar features second on the list with 22 wickets in five Tests.

Highest individual score

AB de Villiers registered the highest individual score at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Tests. Batting at number five, the former South African batter scored 278 not out against Pakistan in the first innings of the second Test in November 2010. His magnificent double century was laced with 23 fours and six maximums to help South Africa post a huge total of 584/9d . The match later ended in a draw.

Best bowling figures in an innings

Afghanistan cricketer Rashid Khan recorded the best bowling figures in an innings of a Test at this venue in 2021. The star leg-spinner registered brilliant figures of 7/137 to help bowl out Zimbabwe for 365 in their second innings. Rashid Khan dismissed Kevin Kasuza, Tarisai Musakanda, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva, Donald Tiripano and Victor Nyauchi. Afghanistan rode on Rashid’s sensational bowling performance to win the Test by six wickets. 

Best bowling figures in a match

Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath holds the record for the best bowling figures in a Test match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. The former left-arm spinner took 11 wickets during the first Test of Pakistan’s tour of the United Arab Emirates in 2017. While Herath took five wickets for 93 runs in the first innings, he scalped another six wickets for just 43 runs in the second innings. Herath’s incredible bowling performance powered Sri Lanka to a 21-run victory in Abu Dhabi. Rashid Khan also scalped 11 wickets against Zimbabwe in March 2021.

Highest partnership

Afghanistan’s Hashmatullah Shahidi and former captain Asghar Afghan recorded the highest partnership at this ground in Test cricket. Hashmatullah Shahidi and Asghar Afghan forged a massive 307-run stand for the fourth wicket in their first innings of the second Test against Zimbabwe in 2021. Shahidi scored unbeaten 200 while Afghan was dismissed for 164. Afghanistan won the Abu Dhabi Test by six wickets. 

Photo credit: Alamy

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson scored his 23rd hundred in Test cricket against Pakistan at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

for Kane Williamson

The New Zealand captain goes to his 23rd Test century with a crisp cover drive for four

How many will he go on to score today?#NZvPAK SCORECARD ▶️ http://t.co/LMlsERb5mp pic.twitter.com/zslK7O2WLS

�?ICC (@ICC) December 26, 2020

In the process, the 30-year-old equalled Stephen Fleming’s all-time record of most fifty-plus scores (55) for the Kiwis in the longest format of the game.

The right-handed batsman achieved the feat during the ongoing Boxing Day Test after he had registered his 33rd Test half-century which was later converted to a ton. 

Interestingly, this is Williamson’s second consecutive Test century following his 251 in Hamilton against West Indies.

They’re on their feet at @BayOvalOfficial as one of their favourite son’s Kane Williamson brings up Test #23 and his 2nd in a row - following his 251 in Hamilton.

LIVE | http://t.co/N6jpmeAeh4#NZvPAK #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/cklS7awCuk

�?BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 26, 2020

However, Williamson is still 15 fifties away from topping the half-centuries list for New Zealand as former skipper Fleming has 46 to his name while Williamson has 32.

The New Zealand skipper has now equalled Steve Smith, Ken Barrington, Greg Chappell, Gary Kirsten, Graham Thorpe, Virender Sehwag and Michael Clarke, in the all-time list standing in the 37th position.  

With 250 against the Windies in Hamilton, 129 against Pakistan today at Bay Oval, is there any batsmen in the world in better form than Kane Williamson?

Tune in for the afternoon session live #NZvPAK #InsideEdge ⭕️ pic.twitter.com/g1PxoIaxpw

�?Spark Sport (@sparknzsport) December 27, 2020

Meanwhile, Williamson was dismissed for 129 by Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah as the Kiwis posted 431 in their first innings on day 2 of the first Test.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter/BLACKCAPS

After a thrilling three-wicket win over Pakistan in the first Test at Manchester, England will look to seal the three-match series with another victory in the second Test at Southampton. Players from both teams produced some solid performances in the opening Test but in the end, England fought back to beat Pakistan and take a 1-0 lead in the series. As we head into the second Test on Thursday, we have a look at a few players who could play match-defining roles in the game.  

Ollie Pope

Ollie Pope demonstrated all the class and poise that you would expect from a top-order English batsman in the first Test. After walking to the middle with his team in all sorts of problem in the first innings, Pope looked comfortable and dealt with the Pakistan attack with minimum of fuss up until his dismissal. His cool and controlled knock of 62 came at a strike rate of 52.99 and featured eight fours. Pope’s knock helped cut Pakistan’s lead in the first innings and even though he managed just seven in the second innings, the talented right-hand batsman could have a major say in the upcoming Test.

• Second England-Pakistan Test: Squads, Probable XI, Forecast and Prediction

Chris Woakes

One of the most underappreciated players of his time, it’s not easy to keep Chris Woakes out of the game. The Englishman has constantly contributed with bat and ball in recent years and was at it again in the last Test. He took four wickets, but his biggest contribution was his unbeaten match-winning 84 in the second innings. Walking into the crease with the score at 117 for 5 and a target of 277 to chase, Woakes showed no sign of nerves. Instead, he stitched together a crucial partnership with Jos Butler to lead his team to victory. His effort earned him the Player of the Match award and he will be eager to continue his rich vein of form in the second Test.

Shan Masood

Shan Masood top-scored with 156 in the first Test and will be disappointed that he still ended up on the losing side. The left-hand batsman was in fine form, hitting 18 fours and two sixes along the way. That said, with Test cricket being the great evener that it is, he could only manage a duck in the second innings. However, he will still be confident with runs in his kitty and will be itching to return to the crease and make amends as Pakistan look to claw their way back into the series.  

• England vs Pakistan: Three things we learned from Old Trafford Test

Yasir Shah

Yasir Shah was Pakistan’s most successful bowler in the first Test with four wickets each in both innings. The leg-break spinner picked up crucial wickets at pivotal junctures and is likely to be Pakistan’s go-to bowler whenever there’s a partnership building. Yasir has fond memories of playing in England having taken a match-winning 10-wicket haul at Lord's in 2016 and he will be keen to be among the wickets in a winning cause again unlike the first Test of the ongoing series in Southampton.

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Feature image courtesy: AFP / Lee Smith

Pakistan are back playing Test cricket in their home country after a decade and they have the usual whipping boys, Sri Lanka, visiting them. That said, Pakistan have contested quite closely with Sri Lanka for the tag of whipping boys in recent times with their Australia sojourn a piece of pretty good evidence in this regard. Expect the crowd to throng in, although security officials could occupy half of the stadium. Sri Lanka have a full-fledged side returning to play Tests and we could see quite a contest.

Watch out for:

Yasir Shah - A Test hundred in Australia to his name, Yasir Shah can now well retire in peace but he will still need a memorable outing in Pakistan - where he is yet to play - to close curtains on a remarkable career. In Asia, Yasir's numbers are engrossing - 150 wickets in 22 Test matches show he is no pushover in these conditions at least. He also has 562 first-class wickets to go along with that.

Read | From top to no.7 in three years - the Pakistan Test rankings story

Kesrick and Kohli again

More than India vs West Indies, the spectators are eager to watch the Kesrick Williams vs Virat Kohli contest. After signing a cheque leaf for him in style at Hyderabad post slamming him for a six, Kohli had to eat his celebrations as Williams dismissed him at Thiruvananthapuram and silenced him with a finger to his lips gesture. There is only one more T20I in the series, and Williams isn't a part of the ODI squad, thus expect another surprise churning up.

Watch out for:

Virat Kohli - In rip-roaring form at home in all three formats, Virat Kohli is backed to write off Williams and a lot of other West Indies bowlers this week. He isn't one to take a jibe lightly and Williams' gesture would not have sat well with him. The Indian skipper averages 66 in T20Is in 2019 while striking at 138.46 and already has 4 fifties to his name.  

Read | India vs West Indies 2nd T20I: Five things we learned

The Trans-Tasmanian rivalry

Australia and New Zealand play each other Down Under for a series that will also encompass the Boxing Day Test match. Contrary to the norm, New Zealand are higher ranked than the hosts as they head to their backyard for this Test series. The Kiwis haven't lost a Test series in quite a few years and will want to ensure they don't give that up to their taunty neighbours. All said and done, they haven't played too much away from home either and Australia will be banking on that record to disturb their southern neighbours.

Watch out for:

David Warner - The big-hitting Aussie batsman was in rip-roaring form in the series against Pakistan, making a record-breaking 335* in the pink ball Test at Adelaide. After a sour Ashes, Warner has come into his own at home in Australia, and will be expected to carry Australia's charge on the Black Caps this summer. The mixed luck in recent times for Warner is primarily due to his record away from home. In Australia though, he remains one of the best opening batters in the world.

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Feature image courtesy: AFP / Noah Seelam

Yasir Shah was the unlikely hero with the bat as the leg-spinner hit his maiden Test century against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday to rescue Pakistan from a precarious position to lift them to a 300-plus score.

Maiden Test 100 for Yasir Shah! @Domaincomau | #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/QA0x7kuH8L

�?cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 1, 2019

When he miscued Josh Hazlewood over mid-on to take the single to get to his 100, Yasir became the second Pakistani after Saqlain Mushtaq to make his maiden first-class century in a Test match.

Yasir Shah this Test at Adelaide - 100* in 192 balls after 0/197 in 32 overs#AusvPak

�?Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 1, 2019

Twitter obviously had a field day as it sang praises of the Pakistan leggie, who has had a more memorable time with the bat rather than ball in the ongoing Test series. Check them out:

Yasir Shah has enough time to break Lara's record

�?Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) December 1, 2019

With already 134 runs in 3 innings, Yasir Shah is now Pakistan’s 2nd leading scorer in this series after Babar Azam (202). Shah has outscored Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed and Rizwan.

�?Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) December 1, 2019

Incredible century by Yasir Shah. came in at 89/6 to face fired up Starc's 12th last ball in which he got 2 wickets. batted world's No 1 Test bowler and best Test attack in their own backyard. fighting and courage innings. Congratulations @Shah64Y. #AUSvPAK

�?Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) December 1, 2019

Yasir Shah makes history with a remarkable hundred. And redeems some of our battered pride!

�?Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) December 1, 2019

Yasir Shah, 100 not out. Go you good thing. #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/u5K9IHZb0a

�?Adam Collins (@collinsadam) December 1, 2019

TAKE A BOW, YASIR SHAH #AUSvPAK #CricketForAll pic.twitter.com/jEm8bRnGga

�?Cricingif (@_cricingif) December 1, 2019

YASIR. SHAH.
Unbelievable innings!!!!
Super from Super Shah #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/kcMBMpmuGI

�?Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) December 1, 2019

Warner-esque celebrations by Yasir Shah on scoring his maiden Test century. He is all smiles. #AusvPak pic.twitter.com/AV0kKZ6ZCG

�?Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 1, 2019

Pakistan were reeling at 89-6 at one point when Yasir Shah joined hands with the classy Babar Azam, who narrowly missed out on a second-consecutive Test century (falling for 97), to put on a 100-run partnership.

He then batted admirably with the tail as the last two wickets put on 108 runs to frustrate the Aussies before Yasir was the last man to fall after scoring a superb 113 in 213 balls with the score at 302. However, it was not enough as Pakistan were asked to follow on by Tim Paine.

Feature image courtesy: AFP/ William West

Days after Umar Akmal was fined 20 per cent his match fee for partying after midnight ahead of Pakistan’s fifth ODI against Australia, spinner Yasir Shah has landed himself in a massive dispute after a video of him lip-syncing a Bollywood song on Tik Tok with a woman went viral on the internet.

Following the incident, it is said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to introduce a series of 'Code of Conducts'. As PTI quotes, the spinner told PCB that he was approached by a female fan in a mall who "begged and insisted on taking the video for Tik Tok".

The damage, however, has been done and PCB has warned the bowler to be more careful in the future.

"The PCB is worried that some of the players don't realize the ramifications of misusing the social media be it twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook or any other network and Yasir was reminded how his carelessness can be used by anyone to bring a bad name to him,�?the official was quoted by PTI.

"Under the new code of conduct, players will have to follow certain rules, regulations and restrictions as no breach of any clause will be tolerated by the board,�?he added. 

Head coach Mickey Arthur defended the bowler and said that he has realized his mistake and felt really bad after the video went all over the internet.

The good news for Yasir, who was part of Pakistan’s ODI squad during the Australia series, is that regardless of his poor form of late, he has been called for a two-day fitness test (scheduled for April 15 and 16) and has been included in a 23-man probables for the World Cup in England.