The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is one of the iconic stadiums in Pakistan. Having a seating capacity of 27000, it is the first stadium in Pakistan in which modern floodlights and backup power generators were installed. Apart from regular matches, it also hosted the final of the 1996 Cricket World Cup between Sri Lanka and Australia. In this article, we will have a look at the top 10 highest scores scored by batters at this stadium.
1. Shoaib Mohammad (203*)
Shoaib Mohammad played as an opening batsman for Pakistan. He represented his country in 45 test matches and 63 ODIs, in which he scored 7 test centuries and 1 ODI century. Out of his 7 test centuries, his best score of 203 not out came against arch-rivals India at the Gaddafi Stadium. He played 338 balls to achieve this feat. This score is the 10th-highest score at this stadium by any batsman.
2. Hanif Mohammad (203*)
Hanif Mohammad was a wicket-keeper batsman of Pakistan and also the father of Shoaib Mohammad. Like his son, he was also an opening batsman who represented his nation in 55 test matches and has 12 centuries to his name. His score of 203 not out came against New Zealand in 1965 at the Gaddafi Stadium. He played 445 balls and smashed 33 boundaries while achieving this feat. A better strike rate than his son keeps his feat at number 9th position in this list.
3. Thilan Samaraweera (214)
Thilan Samaraweera was a prolific Sri Lankan batsman representing his county in 81 tests and 53 ODIs. He has scored over 5000 runs in tests. Remember the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in 2009, during the second test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka where Samaraweera was hit by a bullet? Well, it was in the same test that he scored his second highest test score of 214, which also happens to be the 8th highest individual score at the stadium. He played 338 balls to achieve this feat in which he scored 32 boundaries. However, the match was called off after the terrorist attack and it ended in a draw.
4. Zaheer Abbas (215)
Syed Zaheer Abbas Kirmani was a right-hand middle-order batsman, who represented Pakistan in 78 tests and 62 ODIs, scoring over 7000 runs altogether. It was a treat to the eyes to watch him bat. In 1982, he scored 215 against arch-rivals India at the Gaddafi Stadium, staying at the crease for over 5 and a half hours. He hit 23 boundaries and 2 sixes during this innings of his. This match also ended in a draw.
5. Sanjay Manjrekar (218)
A right-handed middle-order batsman, Sanjay Manjrekar represented India from 1987 till 1996. During this period, he played in 37 tests and 74 ODIs, scoring 2034 and 1994 runs respectively. His test best score of 218 came in the 1989 India tour of Pakistan, 3rd test at Lahore, in which he hit 28 boundaries. The match however ended in a draw. This score happens to be the 6th bestindividual score at this stadium.
6. Mohammad Yousuf (223)
Mohammad Yousuf was one of the finest batsmen of his time. Having played in 90 tests and 288 ODIs for Pakistan, he accumulated 7530 and 9720 runs respectively. His most productive period came in 2005-2006, in which he also scored his test career best of 223 against England at Lahore. He hit 26 boundaries and 2 over-boundaries to achieve this milestone, striking at a rate of 59.78. Pakistan won the match by an innings and 100 runs and Yousuf was adjudged the Man of the Match. This score of 223 ranks 5th in this list.
7. Kumar Sangakkara (230)
This Sri Lankan batsman needs no introduction at all. One of the finest captains, wicket-keepers, and batsmen, he represented his nation in 134 tests and 404 ODIs and scored way above 10000 runs in each of these format. In the Asian Test Championship final held at Lahore in 2002, he scored a mammoth 230 runs off just 327 balls against the host nation, helping his team to win the final by 8 wickets. He was also adjudged the Man of the Match for obvious reasons. This score of 230 is the 4th highest individual score by a batsman at the Gaddafi Stadium.
8. Zaheer Abbas (235*)
Zaheer Abbas Kirmani played 78 tests and 62 ODIs for Pakistan, scoring over 7000 runs altogether. In tests, he scored 12 centuries and 20 half-centuries. Just like his 215, his score of 235 not out also came against India at the Gaddafi Stadium in 1978. He smashed 29 boundaries and a couple of sixes to reach this milestone. However, unlike the previous occasion, this match was won by Pakistan. This feat ranks 3rd in this list.
9. Virender Sehwag (254)
One of the best opening batsmen the world has ever seen was Virender Sehwag from India. Known for his fearless batting, the Nawab of Najafgarh played 104 tests, 251 ODIs and 19 T20s for India. He was known to smash bowlers all around the park, no matter how good the bowler was. He has well over 8000 runs in both tests and ODIs and was also an essential player in the 2011 World Cup winning team. In the first test against Pakistan held at Lahore in 2006, Sehwag scored a blistering knock of 254 runs, smashing as many as 47 boundaries and 1 six striking the ball well over 100. Though the match ended in a draw, Sehwag’s prolific batting earned him the Man of the Match. Also, this knock ranks 2nd in this list of highest individual scores at the Gaddafi.
10. Inzamam-ul-Haq (329)
Inzamam was a right-handed batsman from Pakistan. He was a symbol of strength, sublime touch and power who loved playing shots all around the field. He represented his nation in 120 tests and 378 ODIs, scoring well over 8500 and 11000 runs respectively. His highest score of 329 came in the test against New Zealand at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore in 2002 in which he hit 38 fours and as many as 9 sixes. The home team won the match by an innings and 324 runs and Inzamam was awarded the Man of the Match. This is the highest individual score at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium.
