Iran national cricket team

History

Cricket was introduced in Iran in the 1920s and 1930s by the British who were working in the oil industry but it ceased when the oil industry was nationalised in 1951. Cricket was reintroduced in the early 1990s by Iranians who had studied abroad. Iran joined the Asian Cricket Council in 2003. Iran's men's cricket league was established in 2014 with eight teams as participants and Chah Bahar became the first winners. In the same year, women's cricket league was also established which was won by Mashhad.

Following their admission to the International Cricket Council, they made their international debut at the 2004 ACC Trophy, and played again in the 2006 tournament. On both occasions, they failed to progress beyond the first round. With the separation of the ACC Trophy into Elite and Challenge divisions, following their performance at the 2006 ACC Trophy Iran have since competed in the Challenge divisions in both 2009 and in the 2010 competition, finishing in the firth place on both occasions.

2018-Present

In April 2018, the ICC decided to grant full Twenty20 International (T20I) status to all its members. Therefore, all Twenty20 matches played between Iran and other ICC members after 1 January 2019 have the full T20I status.

Iran played their first T20I against UAE on 23 February 2020 during the 2020 ACC Western Region T20.

As of 1 January 2024, Iran is ranked 106th in T20I Rankings by the ICC.

Team colours

Iran's kits vary from year to year; the team have worn kits in green color, at times red kits and also grey kits. The kits always have 'Iran' written on the front of the jersey; usually Iran's cricket logo and at times sponsor logos also appear.

Tournament history

Asia Cup Qualifier

• 2018: Did not participate
• 2020: Did not qualify

ACC Western Region T20

• 2019: Did not play
• 2020: Group stage

ACC Trophy Challenge Competitions

ACC Middle East Cup

Head coaches

• Iran Hossein Ali Salimian (2004-05)
• Pakistan Shahid Aslam (2006)
• Iran Nariman Bakhtiar (2007-08)
• Iran Armond Nahabedian (2009-10)
• Pakistan Mahmood Rashid Dar (2011-15)
• England Adrian Mirfakhrai (2015-2016)
• Mohammad Yousof Raisi (2022-2024)

Records and statistics

International Match Summary — Iran

Last updated 25 February 2020

Twenty20 International

• Highest team total: 108/8 v Kuwait, 25 February 2020 at Al Amerat Cricket Stadium, Muscat
• Highest individual score: 39, Yousef Shadzehisarjou v Kuwait, 25 February 2020 at Al Amerat Cricket Stadium, Muscat
• Best individual bowling figures: 1/10, Nader Zahadiafzal v Saudi Arabia, 24 February 2020 at Al Amerat Cricket Stadium, Muscat

T20I record versus other nations

Records complete to T20I #1061. Last updated 25 February 2020.

Other matches

For a list of selected international matches played by Iran, see Cricket Archive.

Other records

Limited-overs records

• Highest team total: 369/6 v China, January 13, 2009 at Gymkhana Club, Chiang Mai
• Lowest team total: 29 v Nepal, June 14, 2004 at Kelab Aman, Kuala Lumpur

Highest limited-overs scores for Iran

Most limited-overs runs for Iran

Best bowling figures in an innings for Iran

References

References

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