After 14 years, Multan Cricket Stadium is Ready to Host Caribbean Storm
First match of three-match ODI series between Pakistan and West Indies cricket teams will be played tomorrow.
The one-day international series between Pakistan and the West Indies starting on Wednesday, June 8 in Multan will lead to the return of international cricket after 14 years. The three-match series is part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.
The series is expected to have thrilling and exciting matches between the two teams, but the ground has hosted many memorable cricket matches before.
First international cricket match was played at Multan Cricket Stadium in 2001. In this Test match, Pakistan defeated the visiting Bangladesh by an innings and 264 runs.
The national cricket team reached Multan on Sunday to participate in the ODIs while the guest side reached Multan from Islamabad on Monday. This will be the second time that the West Indies squad has reached Multan to play an ODI.
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Earlier, the two teams met on December 13, 2006, where Marlon Samuels played an unbeaten 100 off 91 balls to lead the visitors to victory.
Multan’s beautiful cricket stadium has previously hosted seven ODIs, four of which were won by Pakistan.
The first ODI here was played between Pakistan and Bangladesh in September 2003, in which the host side defeated Bangladesh by 137 runs.
The last ODI played at Multan Cricket Stadium was also played between the two teams, in which Pakistan won.
Former Pakistan opener Yasir Hameed has scored the most ODI runs at this venue. He scored 197 runs in 4 innings played here. Second on the list is a local hero and former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who has 178 runs.
Four batsmen, including Marilyn Samuels, have scored centuries at the Multan Cricket Stadium. They include Yasir Hameed of Pakistan, Abdul Razzaq, and Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh.
Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi have taken six wickets at this ground while India’s fast bowler RP Singh has led four players to the pavilion for 40 runs.
Virender Sehwag’s 309 and Brian Lara’s 216:
From August 2001 to November 2006, MCS hosted five Test matches. Pakistan won three of the four matches that were fruitful.
Pakistan defeated England in a Test match at the Multan Cricket Stadium and Bangladesh twice, while India won its only Test at the venue. The Test between Pakistan and West Indies was drawn.
Pakistan’s current batting coach and former batsman Muhammad Yousuf tops the MCS batting chart with 517 Test runs. He is also the only batsman to score three centuries at this venue.
India’s Virender Sehwag and West Indies’ Brian Lara have scored triple and double centuries respectively at Multan Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan’s Dinesh Kaneria has taken 22 wickets in 5 Test innings played at this ground.
Multan Cricket Stadium has a seating capacity of 35,000 spectators. The stadium is located on Vehari Road. The venue hosted three HBLPSL matches in February 2020, where hosts Multan Sultans defeated Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings, and Quetta Gladiators in all three matches.
