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Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Stadium will host a two-match T20I series between Ireland and South Africa this weekend. This will be the first time the Proteas will take on the Irish outfit in the Gulf nation.
Cricket Ireland decided to host the two T20Is against South Africa in Abu Dhabi because it was a better option financially for the board. Back in 2021, Sheikh Zayed Stadium was one of the venues for the T20 World Cup.
Before the iconic stadium in Abu Dhabi hosts the T20Is between Ireland and South Africa, here's a quick glance at the pitch history and T20I records of this venue.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi T20I records
Abu Dhabi has hosted 66T20Is, with the teams batting second emerging victorious on 38 occasions. It should not be a surprise if the captain winning the toss decides to field first.
Here's a list of some other important numbers which fans should know from previous T20Is hosted by Abu Dhabi:
T20I matches played: 66
Won by teams batting first: 28
Won by teams batting second: 38
Tied: 0
No result: 0
Highest team total: 225/7 - Ireland vs Afghanistan, 2013
Lowest team total: 84 - Bangladesh vs South Africa, 2021
Highest successful run-chase: 167/5 - New Zealand vs England, 2021
Highest individual score: 117* - Shaiman Anwar (UAE) vs PNG, 2017
Best bowling figures: 4/13 - Craig Young (IRE) vs Nigeria, 2019
Average first innings score: 142
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi pitch report
The pitch in Abu Dhabi generally helps teams batting second. The dew factor has played a major role in T20is at this venue in the past. Teams batting second have won close to 60% matches, which solidifies the aforementioned claim.
The exact pitch report for the two T20Is between Ireland and South Africa will be broadcasted live before the toss takes place.
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi last T20I
Afghanistan beat the UAE by six wickets in the last T20I hosted by this venue. The match happened on February 19, 2023, where Muhammad Waseem's half-century helped UAE post 163/6 in 20 overs. Afghanistan reached 166/4 in 19.1 overs, thanks to Karim Janat's unbeaten half-ton.
10 sixes were hit in that T20I between UAE and Afghanistan. Here's a short summary of the scorecard:
Brief scores: UAE 163/6 (Muhammad Waseem 75, Gulbadin Naib 2/13) lost to Afghanistan 166/4 (Ibrahim Zadran 60*, Zahoor Khan 2/28) by 6 wickets.
