The Jinnah Stadium, formerly known as Municipal Stadium, is a multipurpose stadium in Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan. It is used mostly for cricket matches. Built in 1981, this stadium can accommodate 20,000 spectators and is known for having one of the fastest pitches in the world.
Jinnah Stadium is the only international stadium in Gujranwala. Since 2000, due to lack of international matches has led to the stadium being used for political rallies. The absence of a five-star hotel in Gujranwala is cited as the main reason for the lack of international matches at the venue.
History Jinnah Stadium was built in 1981 under the leadership of Alhaj Muhammad Aslam Butt, then Mayor of Gujranwala, the stadium marked the city's entry into Pakistan's major cricketing venues. It hosted its first and only Test match in 1991. Over the years, cricketers such as Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Arjuna Ranatunga, and Sanath Jayasuriya have played at Jinnah Stadium. Sachin Tendulkar made his ODI cricket debut in 1989 at this ground. The last ODI match played there was between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2000 and was the first ODI match Aleem Dar umpired. As of August 2024, Jinnah Stadium is under consideration for hosting some matches of Pakistan Super League 2025 edition, although no renovation work has been done on the stadium in the recent years.
Cricket World Cup This stadium hosted an ODI match in the 1996 Cricket World Cup between Pakistan and UAE.
One Day International centuries The following table summarizes the One-Day International centuries scored at Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala
No. Score Player Team Balls Inns. Opposing team Date Result 1 106* Javed Miandad 106 1 Won 2 102* Arjuna Ranatunga 112 1 Lost 3 102* Saleem Elahi 133 2 Won
Five-wicket Hauls in One Day internationals Only 1 five wicket haul has been taken at Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala
No. Bowler Date Team Opposing TeamInnORWEcon Result 1 Saqlain Mushtaq Won
See also List of Test cricket grounds List of stadiums in Pakistan List of cricket grounds in Pakistan One-Test wonder
References