Sharjah Cricket Stadium is set to achieve a major milestone by hosting its 250th One Day International (ODI) match on Wednesday, as Afghanistan takes on South Africa in the first of a three-match series. The iconic venue, which was inaugurated in 1984, holds the record for hosting the most ODIs in cricket history.
The stadium, known for its rich cricketing heritage, has been a prominent venue for international matches, with 249 ODIs already held on its turf. Its long-standing reputation as a favorite for global cricket events will be further cemented with this landmark match.
The series between Afghanistan and South Africa kicks off tomorrow, September 18, with the remaining matches scheduled for September 20 and September 22.
Globally, Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe ranks second after Sharjah Stadium, having hosted 182 ODIs. The Sydney Cricket Ground follows with 161 matches, while Melbourne Cricket Ground and Premadasa Stadium in Colombo are tied for fourth place, each having hosted 151 ODIs.
Afghanistan Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Abdul Malik, Riaz Hassan, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Bilal Sami, Naveed Zadran and Farid Ahmad Malik.
South Africa Squad: Jason Smith, Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Andile Phehlukwayo, Andile Simelane, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne, Tristan Stubbs, Bjorn Fortuin, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, Nqaba Peter, Ottniel Baartman.