Faisalabad cricket stadium
Iqbal Stadium, widely known as the Faisalabad cricket stadium, was built in the 1970s and renamed in honour of Allama Muhammad Iqbal (Pakistan’s national poet).
It has staged 24 Tests and 16 ODIs and remains a main venue for domestic events, with seating for around 17,000.
How the venue grew from called as Lyallpur Stadium?
Opened as Lyallpur Stadium, it hosted its first Test in October 1978 against India.
The ground became a regular stop on international tours through the 1980s and 1990s, then carried Pakistan’s domestic calendar when international cricket paused after 2009.
Iconic matches fans still talk about
The stadium has seen cricketing drama and milestones.
South Africa defended 142 in 1997-98 after bowling Pakistan out for 92. In 2004-05, Sanath Jayasuriya struck 253 for Sri Lanka.
The most famous flashpoint came in 1987-88 with the Mike Gatting and Shakoor Rana confrontation, which halted play for a day and left a lasting mark on the rivalry.
Weather and playing conditions
Despite modern facilities, weather has intervened multiple times in the history. Thick fog in 1998-99 forced the abandonment of a Test against Zimbabwe without a ball bowled.
Bad light can affect late sessions during winter months.
Iqbal stadium as domestic heartbeat
The Faisalabad cricket stadium hosted the Super 8 Twenty20 Cup in 2011 and 2015. Four pitches were added in 2016 to take the total to nine.
It staged the Quaid e Azam Trophy in 2019-20, National T20 Cup finals in 2019 and 2025, and the 2024-25 Champions One Day Cup.
International cricket returns in 2025
Up gradation announcement for Iqbal stadium announced in 2024 paved the way for a comeback. After a planned Bangladesh T20I leg fell through, international cricket returns with Pakistan hosting South Africa for three ODIs on November 4, 6, and 8, 2025.
The city last held an international match in 2008.
Ground records from 1970’s
Highest Test total 674 for 6 by Pakistan. Lowest 53 by West Indies. Best Test match figures 12 for 130 by Waqar Younis.
In ODIs, the highest total is 314 for 7 by Pakistan, the best bowling 4 for 27 by Mudassar Nazar.
The ground sits about two kilometers from the city centre, making access straightforward for fans of the Faisalabad cricket stadium.
