Niaz Stadium

History

Niaz Stadium is situated in the heart of Hyderabad, one of the most populous cities in Pakistan. The stadium has been named after Niaz Ahmed, the late commissioner of Hyderabad, who was the motivating factor for building this stadium.

The inaugural first-class match was played at Niaz Stadium between South Zone and the Pakistan Education Board (PEB) on March 16–18, 1962. Niaz Stadium became the 32nd first-class ground in Pakistan and the 2nd in Hyderabad.

Only five Tests have so far been played at Hyderabad: two each against England and New Zealand, and one against India.

The inaugural Test match at the ground took place from March 16 to 21, 1973, against England, and it resulted in a draw after big scoring. England picked up 487, with Dennis Amiss scoring 158. Pakistan, in reply, did even better, compiling 569 before declaring after nine wickets had fallen. Mushtaq Mohammad hit 157 and Intikhab Alam 138. England played out time by hitting 218 for six wickets for the match to end in a draw.

The last Test played at Niaz Stadium was between Pakistan and New Zealand on November 25–29, 1984. Niaz Stadium celebrated staging Test cricket's 1000th match.

With Pakistan winning the rubber with more than a day to spare, Javed Miandad became the second Pakistani after Hanif Mohammad to score a century in each innings of a Test. Niaz Stadium boasts of the fact that Pakistan never lost a Test or one-day international here.

After a ten-year hiatus, an international match was played at the ground on January 24, 2008, between Pakistan and Zimbabwe. In April 2018, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that the venue, along with several others in the country, would get a makeover to get them ready for future international matches and fixtures in the Pakistan Super League. However, no PSL match could be hosted over the next few years.

In May 2025, the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi announced that the stadium will be upgraded to international standards. International cricket is expected to return by 2026.

Records and statistics

Test

• Highest team total: 581/3d, by Pakistan against India on 14 January 1983.
• Lowest team total: 189, by India against Pakistan on 14 January 1983.
• Highest individual score: 280*, Javed Miandad for Pakistan against India on 14 January 1983.
• Highest partnership: 451, for the 3rd wicket by Mudassar Nazar and Javed Miandad for Pakistan against India on 14 January 1983.
• Most wickets: 16 wickets, in 3 matches by Abdul Qadir.
• Most runs: 661 runs, in 4 matches by Javed Miandad.

One Day International

• Highest team total: 267/6, by Pakistan against Sri Lanka on 8 October 1987.
• Lowest team total: 127, by Sri Lanka against Pakistan on 3 November 1985.
• Highest individual score: 115*, by Javed Miandad for Pakistan against Sri Lanka on 15 January 1992.
• Highest partnership: 137, for the 3rd wicket by Hamilton Masakadza and Tatenda Taibu for Zimbabwe against Pakistan on 24 January 2008.
• Most runs: 335 runs, in 5 matches by Javed Miandad.
• Most wickets: 7 wickets, in 2 matches by Aaqib Javed.

Key

Tests

Two five wicket hauls have been taken at Niaz Stadium:

References

References

1. Paracha, Nadeem F.. (2017-03-10). "Stadium stories: Famous Pakistan cricket grounds".
2. (17 June 2011). "Niaz Stadium". [[ESPNcricinfo]].
3. (25 February 2020). "Sindh govt plans to rebuild Niaz Stadium Hyderabad".
4. Khan, Mohammad Hussain. (11 February 2023). "Hyderabad’s Niaz Stadium longs for revival of cricket activities".
5. (2005-09-20). "The Afghan giant".
6. Khan, Mohammad Hussain. (24 May 2015). "A part of history".
7. "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats".
8. "Full Scorecard of England vs Pakistan 2nd Test 1972/73 - Score Report".
9. "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats.". [[ESPNcricinfo]].
10. (2018-04-17). "Pakistan plans makeover for stadiums". [[International Cricket Council]].
11. Shah, Abdul Mohi. (2025-06-06). "Niaz Stadium to host international matches next season: PCB chief".
12. "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats".
13. "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats".
14. "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats".
15. "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats".
16. "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats".
17. "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats".
18. "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats".
19. "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats".
20. "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats".
21. "Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad Cricket Team Records & Stats".
22. "Statistics – – Test Matches – Bowling Records". [[ESPNcricinfo]].