ODI cricket is all in readiness of returning to the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium after almost 30 months with the first of a five-match ODI series between Pakistan and New Zealand to be played here on Thursday.
Having hosted the fourth and fifth T20Is between these two teams a handful of days ago, Rawalpindi will now be hosting the first two ODIs before proceedings move to Karachi for the last three ODIs.
Readers must note that Pakistan has a formidable record at this stadium on the back of winning 14 and losing five out of their 20 ODIs over the years. Slated to play an ODI in the city for the first time since 2003, New Zealand has been on the losing side in each of their three ODIs here in the past.
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Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium ODI Records
The highest ODI run-scorers at this venue have all been retired cricketers namelyInzaman-ul-Haq(560), Yasir Hameed (389), Gary Kirsten(329), Mohammad Yousuf(278) and Younis Khan(268). The best ODI batters here among active international players are Babar Azam(221), Sean Williams (197), Imam-ul-Haq(111), Wesley Madhevere (98), and Haris Sohail (71).
The sound of leather on willow 🔊
Players hit the nets as they prepare for the ODI series against New Zealand 🏏#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/bM03rk6J2p
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 26, 2023
Much like the batters, even the topmost ODI bowlers at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium have been former cricketers such as Waqar Younis(11), Shoaib Akhtar(10), Mohammad Sami (9), Abdul Razzaq(9) andSaqlain Mushtaq(8). The highest ODI wicket-takers at this stadium among active players are Blessing Muzarabani (7), Mohammad Hasnain(5), Iftikhar Ahmed(5), Wahab Riaz(5) andShaheen Shah Afridi(5).
Highest Innings Totals in Rawalpindi ODIs
| Score | Overs | Team | Opposition | Year |
| 329/6 | 50 | Pakistan | India | 2004 |
| 328/3 | 50 | South Africa | Netherlands | 1996 |
| 321/2 | 50 | South Africa | UAE | 1996 |
| 317 | 48.4 | India | Pakistan | 2004 |
| 302/6 | 50 | Pakistan | Zimbabwe | 1998 |
The above-mentioned totals are the only five 300+ innings totals out of the 48 ODI innings that have been played in this city to date. Interestingly, the highest successful ODI run-chase at this stadium had come in a Pakistan-New Zealand ODI where the home team had sealed a 278-run chase with 3 wickets and 17 balls remaining in the match 21 years ago.
Out of the 23 Rawalpindi ODIs which have witnessed a result, 11 have been won by the team batting first and 12 by the team chasing a target.
