Pallekele International Cricket Stadium: Weather, Pitch Report, History, Features & Major Tournaments in Sri Lanka

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is located near Kandy in Sri Lanka’s Central Province. It is a world-class venue that has become a central hub for international cricket in Sri Lanka. The stadium was inaugurated in 2009, and it quickly gained a reputation for a lively pitch. 

In this blog, we are going to learn about the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium pitch report, weather report, seating capacity, and other details like highest score, memorable matches and more. 

Introduction to Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

Pallekele International Stadium is one of the modern cricketing venues in Sri Lanka. The stadium, located near Kandy in the Central Province, opened in 2009. Since then, it has quickly become a key ground for International cricket, hosting Tests, ODIs and T20S along with major ICC tournaments like the 2011 World Cup and the World T20. The stadium is recognised for its lively pitch, which favours both batter and bowler in any match. A natural setting surrounds the stadium, making it a popular destination for cricket fans in Sri Lanka.

Overview Of The Stadium 

History of Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

• The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is located in Kandy, Sri Lanka, and was opened on 27 November 2009. 
• Sri Lanka Cricket has owned the stadium since its establishment as a modern replacement for the Asgiriya Stadium.
• The first ever international match of the ODI format at the stadium took place on 8th March 2011. The match was between the Pakistan National Cricket Team and the New Zealand cricket team. 
• The stadium was also the location of the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2012 ICC World Twenty20. 

Location and How to Reach

Given below is the location of the Stadium and information on how to reach it. Let’s have a look at it: 

• City: Pallekele, about 15km east of Kandy
• Province: Central Province, Sri Lanka
• Best Way To Travel: Taxis, tuk-tuk, or buses from Kandy. 
• Nearby Attractions: Temple of the Tooth, Kandy Lake, tea Plantation and spice gardens. 

Stadium Capacity and Layout

Here is the information related to the Stadium capacity and layout of the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Let’s have a look at it: 

• Seating Capacity: 35,000 
• Ground Shape: Oval
• Playing Area Dimensions: 80m x 75m 
• Named Ends: Hunnasgiriya End, Rikillagaskada End 
• Main Stands/Pavilions: Multiple; offer comprehensive views 
• Floodlights: Yes, supports day-night matches 
• Facilities: Player, media, and spectator amenities 

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Weather Report

As of the latest report, the weather at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is around 28 degrees Celsius with a 0% chance of rain. The wind near the Pallekele International Stadium is blowing from the west at 13 mph, and the humidity is at 55%. 

The forecast for the next few days indicates a high chance of rain. Sources expect mostly cloudy conditions with a chance of light rain in the region.

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

Here is the pitch report for Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Key Points: 

The pitch of the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium offers fair conditions for both batters and bowlers in any match. 

• In the early overs, the pitch favours pace bowlers with good swing and bounce due to the freshness of the wickets in the match. 
• In the middle overs, the pitch is good for stroke play with a friendly surface.
• Batting becomes easier with the pitch easing, allowing higher scoring as the match progresses. 
• The pitch does not deteriorate quickly, maintaining fair bounce and pace throughout the match.
• Spinners became more effective after the initial phase, but rarely dominated completely. 
• The ground hosts high-scoring matches as well as low totals, reflecting its variability.

Major Tournaments Hosted at Pallekele

Here is the list of the major tournaments hosted at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium: 

• ICC World Cup: The stadium is known to host multiple matches, including New Zealand vs Pakistan, Sri Lanka Vs Zimbabwe in 2011. 
• ICC World Twenty20: In this tournament, the stadium hosted nine matches in total back in 2012. 
• Lanka Premier League: It hosted many home matches for the Kandy Tuskers franchise from 2020 till now. 
• Various Test Matches: Since 2010, the stadium has hosted various kinds of home test matches. 
• Lanka T10 Super League: The stadium hosted the inaugural edition of the Lanka T10 Super League in December 2024. 

Memorable Matches at Pallekele Stadium

Records at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

Here is the breakdown of the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Let’s have a look at it: 

T20 Matches 

• Highest Team Total: The highest team total at the venue is 648/8d by Sri Lanka against Bangladesh in the year 2021. 
• Lowest Team Total: The lowest team total in the stadium is 117 by Sri Lanka against Australia in 2011.
• Highest Individual Score: The highest individual score is 244 by Dimuth Karunaratne against Bangladesh in 2021.  
• Best Bowling Figure: Praveen Jayawickrama recorded the best bowling figures in an innings with 6/92 against Bangladesh in 2021.
  
  

ODI Matches 

• Highest Team Total: Sri Lanka made 381/3 against Afghanistan in 2024. 
• Lowest Team Total: 70 all-out by Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka in 2022. 
• Highest Individual Scores: Pathum Nissanka from the Sri Lanka team made 201 against Afghanistan in 2024. 
• Best Bowling Figures: 6/31 by Mitchell Johnson against Sri Lanka. 

Test Records 

• Highest Team Total: Sri Lanka made 648/8 against the team of Bangladesh in 2021.
• Lowest Team Total: The lowest score made by Sri Lanka was 117 runs against Australia in 2011. 
• Highest Individual Score: Dimuth Karunaratne made 244 runs against the team of Bangladesh in 2021. 
• Best Bowling Figures: Praveen Jayawickrama took 6/92 against Bangladesh in 2021. 

Home Teams and Domestic Cricket

The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium serves as a key venue for both international and domestic cricket in Sri Lanka. Let’s have a look at it: 

International: The Stadium is a home ground for the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team. 

Domestic: When it comes to domestic cricket, the stadium is the home ground for the Kandurata cricket team. It also regularly hosts matches for the Lanka Premier League (LPL). 

Tourist Attractions Near Pallekele

Here is the list of tourist attractions near Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Let’s have a look at it: 

• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa)
• Kandy Lake
• Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
• Udawatta Kele Sanctuary
• Bahiravokanda Vihara Buddha Statue
• Ceylon Tea Museum
• Royal Palace of Kandy
• International Buddhist Museum
• Kandy National Museum

Future of Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

Here are the Upcoming matches which are all set to be held in the stadium.

Conclusion

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is still famous in the cricket world, offering excellent playing conditions and beautiful views. Because it has held important tournaments and exciting matches with famous athletes, it’s a place that cricket lovers in Sri Lanka should not miss. Pallekele offers a blend of sports and beautiful nature, whether you’re interested in watching an international game or exploring the area. The stadium is prepared to host more exciting cricket matches in the future, helping it remain a top location for cricket globally.

Article Code: Srv-CBR-26

Also Read : Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad: Records, Matches, Pitch Report & Ticket Info