Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium

Mahinda Rajapaksa's International Stadium

Ground information
Location	Sooriyawewa, Hambantota District, Southern Province
Coordinates	6°21′23″N 81°1′35″E / 6.35639°N 81.02639°E / 6.35639; 81.02639Coordinates: 6°21′23″N 81°1′35″E / 6.35639°N 81.02639°E / 6.35639; 81.02639
Establishment	2010
Capacity	34,300
Owner	Sri Lanka Cricket
Operator	Sri Lanka Cricket
Tenants	Sri Lanka Cricket
End names
Thanamalwila End Sooriyawewa End
International information
First ODI	20 February 2011: Sri Lanka v Canada
Last ODI	16 August 2011: Sri Lanka v Australia
As of 16 August 2011 Source: Cricinfo

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium is a cricket stadium in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. It was built for the 2011 Cricket World Cup and hosted two matches, the first being Sri Lanka against Canada, on 20th February 2011. The stadium has a capacity of 34,300 people. The stadium will be expanded to 60,000 seats to host the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 and the ceremonies and archery competition if Hambantota's bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games are successful.^[1]

History

The following 2011 Cricket World Cup matches was held in Hambantota International Cricket Stadium in February, 2011. The first official international match was between Sri Lanka and Canada on 20 February, 2011, which Sri Lanka won by 210 runs. A total of two matches were played at the venue during the World Cup.

On 21 September 2011, it was announced that Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium will host three 2012 ICC World Twenty20 matches.^[2]

Records

• Highest score of 332/7 by Sri Lanka v Canada in ODIs.
• Lasith Malinga and Shahid Afridi have taken each five wicket hauls.
• Doug Bollinger has most wickets at this venue (7)
• Curator is Ravi Dissanayake and the Venue Manager is Colonel Shanaka Ratnayake who had been there from the beginning of the stadium. Once you enter into the media box the photo collection shows the history.

World Cup Cricket

In 2011, Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium hosted two successful world cup matches.

2011 Cricket World Cup

Main article: 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup

20 February 2011 (D/N) Scorecard	Sri Lanka  332/7 (50 overs)	v	Canada 122 (36.5 overs)	Sri Lanka won by 210 runs Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota, Sri Lanka Umpires: Ian Gould and Shavir Tarapore Player of the match: Mahela Jayawardene (Sri)
	Mahela Jayawardene 100 (81) John Davison 2/56 (8 overs)		Rizwan Cheema 37 (35) Nuwan Kulasekara 3/16 (6 overs)
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first.

23 February 2011 (D/N) Scorecard	Pakistan  317/7 (50 overs)	v	Kenya 112 (33.1 overs)	Pakistan won by 205 runs Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota, Sri Lanka Umpires: Tony Hill and Nigel Llong Player of the match: Umar Akmal (Pak)
	Umar Akmal 71 (52) Thomas Odoyo 3/41 (7 overs)		Collins Obuya 47 (58) Shahid Afridi 5/16 (8 overs)
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first.

ICC World Twenty20

Sri Lanka will host the 2012 ICC World Twenty20. Three matches are due to play in Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium. Other matches will be played in R. Premadasa Stadium and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

2012 ICC World Twenty20

Main article: 2012 ICC World Twenty20

18 September 2012 (D/N)	Sri Lanka	v	Zimbabwe	Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota, Sri Lanka

20 September 2012 (D/N)	South Africa	v	Zimbabwe	Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota, Sri Lanka

22 September 2012 (D/N)	Sri Lanka	v	South Africa	Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota, Sri Lanka

See also

• List of international cricket grounds in Sri Lanka

References

1. ^ Hambantota 2018 bid book part 2
2. ^ "England to start ICC World Twenty20 title defence against qualifier". http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/events_and_awards/twenty20/newsdetails.php?newsId=17175_1316627340. Retrieved 21 September 2011. 

External links

• Cricinfo profile on Hambantota
• Suriyawewa Cricket Stadium Hambantota Layout
• Guide to Hambantota