Pokhara Cricket Stadium: History, Pitch Report, Stands, Stats & Location

Nepal is home to some of the most picturesque cricket venues, with the Pokhara Cricket Stadium being one of the finest. Located with the stunning Annapurna Himalayan range in the background, the stadium combines natural beauty with the country’s love for cricket.

The stadium has previously hosted international women's cricket and domestic competitions. Its scenic location makes it a unique cricket venue in Nepal and draws comparisons with the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium in Himachal Pradesh, India.

The venue became part of one of the best T20 teams in the world, Nepal's international cricket history during the 2019 South Asian Games, when it hosted the Women's T20 tournament. It has also witnessed notable performances, including Bangladesh’s 255/2 against the Maldives.

Pokhara Cricket Stadium Overview

Established in 2004 and managed under the purview of the Gandaki Province Cricket Association alongside the Government of Nepal, Pokhara International Cricket Stadium has progressively developed its infrastructure to host regional and international fixtures. Traditionally part of the multi-purpose sporting complex at Pokhara Rangasala, the cricket facility features dedicated practice pitches.

It also served as a prominent venue for domestic competitions, such as the Prime Minister Cup, as well as franchise tournaments like the Nepal Premier League (NPL) home matches for teams like the Pokhara Avengers. It gained international status when it hosted the Women's T20I matches during the 2019 South Asian Games, making it the third venue in Nepal to host international cricket at the time.

Pokhara Cricket Stadium Location

The Gandaki-based stadium is close to the Pokhara Rangasala complex and on the eastern side of the Seti River area. It is also different from the main multi-purpose Rangasala Stadium, although the two are frequently referred to interchangeably in cricket coverage. The Pokhara stadium location is known for its mountainous views and proximity to the Seti River.

Pokhara Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

When we talk about the Pokhara Cricket Stadium pitch report, it typically offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, though conditions fluctuate depending on morning moisture and weather. Early in matches, pace bowlers can extract some movement off the seam due to moisture originating from the nearby river valley.

As the game progresses, the surface settles down nicely, allowing stroke-makers who apply themselves to score freely. Spinners also come into play during the middle overs as the pitch wears, making patience and proper shot selection essential for batters.

Pokhara International Cricket Stadium Records & Stats

One of the most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world has primarily hosted Women's Twenty20 Internationals (WT20Is) and major domestic circuits, the ground has witnessed historic record-breaking performances, particularly during the 2019 South Asian Games.

The venue’s international records are currently limited to Women’s T20Is, with no men’s T20Is or ODIs played at the ground so far. One of the most memorable matches came during the 2019 South Asian Games, when Bangladesh Women scored 255/2 against the Maldives, while Maldives were bowled out for just six runs. Nigar Sultana scored an unbeaten 113 off 65 balls, while Fargana Hoque smashed 110 off 53 balls, helping Bangladesh record a dominant victory.

Pokhara Stadium Stats in T20Is

The international stats provide an interesting picture of the venue’s WT20I conditions. In 8 matches, teams batting first have generally performed well on the good batting surface. Below are the complete Pokhara Stadium stats:

Pokhara Cricket Stadium Capacity

Talking about the Pokhara Stadium capacity, the venue can accommodate over 5,000 spectators. During major tournaments, temporary stands and open grass areas can increase the capacity. Unlike large multi-tiered stadiums, the venue has open grass viewing areas around the ground, giving fans a close view of the action with the beautiful Annapurna Himalayan range in the background.

The Pokhara Rangasala is a separate multi-purpose stadium with football and athletics facilities and has a reported capacity of 16,500. However, the proposed development plans aim to increase its capacity to 18,000.