Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore has hosted six Asia Cup ODI matches across two editions, the 2008 and 2023 tournaments.
Sri Lanka’s 357/9 against Bangladesh in 2008 remains the highest team total at this venue in Asia Cup history.
Meanwhile, Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s unbeaten 112 against Afghanistan in 2023 is the highest individual score in Asia Cup matches at Gaddafi Stadium.
This article covers every Asia Cup record set at the ground, from match results and centuries to best bowling figures and the closest finishes.
Complete List of Asia Cup Matches at Gaddafi Stadium
Gaddafi Stadium first hosted Asia Cup matches in 2008, when Pakistan organized the tournament for the very first time.
However, it took fifteen years before the venue returned to the Asia Cup stage during the 2023 edition.
In total, six ODIs have been played at Lahore’s largest cricket ground across both editions.
Moreover, teams batting first have won five of those six matches, which tells you plenty about the surface and conditions here.
Below is the full match-by-match breakdown.
| Sr. No. | Date | Teams | Result | Top Scorer | MOTM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 24, 2008 | BAN vs UAE | BAN won by 96 runs | M. Ashraful 109(126) | M. Ashraful |
| 2 | June 25, 2008 | SL vs BAN | SL won by 131 runs | Sangakkara 101(91) | K. Sangakkara |
| 3 | June 26, 2008 | SL vs UAE | SL won by 142 runs | SL 290/9 | – |
| 4 | Sep 3, 2023 | BAN vs AFG | BAN won by 89 runs | Miraz 112*(119) | M. H. Miraz |
| 5 | Sep 5, 2023 | SL vs AFG | SL won by 2 runs | K. Mendis 92(84) | K. Mendis |
| 6 | Sep 6, 2023 | PAK vs BAN | PAK won by 7 wkts | Imam 78(84) | Haris Rauf |
Interestingly, Sri Lanka featured in four of the six matches and won three of them.
Also worth noting: Pakistan have played just one Asia Cup game at their own Gaddafi Stadium, winning it comfortably against Bangladesh in 2023.
Highest Team Totals in Asia Cup at Gaddafi Stadium
The Lahore pitch has historically been kind to batters, and Asia Cup matches here have reflected that.
In fact, four out of six first-innings totals crossed the 290-run mark, showing just how flat the surface plays.
Consequently, the highest team totals at this ground have been significant.
| Sr. No. | Score | Team | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 357/9 | Sri Lanka | Bangladesh | June 25, 2008 |
| 2 | 334/5 | Bangladesh | Afghanistan | September 3, 2023 |
| 3 | 300/8 | Bangladesh | UAE | June 24, 2008 |
| 4 | 291/8 | Sri Lanka | Afghanistan | September 5, 2023 |
| 5 | 290/9 | Sri Lanka | UAE | June 26, 2008 |
| 6 | 289 | Afghanistan | Sri Lanka | September 5, 2023 |
Sri Lanka’s 357/9 against Bangladesh in 2008 stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Kumar Sangakkara (101 off 91 balls) and Sanath Jayasuriya (72 off 47 balls) were the chief destroyers that night.
Bangladesh’s 334/5 against Afghanistan in 2023 is the second-highest, powered by twin centuries from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Lowest Team Totals in Asia Cup at Gaddafi Stadium
Although the batting-friendly surface has produced plenty of big scores, some sides have also struggled badly.
Associate teams, in particular, found the going tough during the 2008 Asia Cup.
| Sr. No. | Score | Team | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 148 | UAE | Sri Lanka | June 26, 2008 |
| 2 | 193 | Bangladesh | Pakistan | September 6, 2023 |
| 3 | 204 | UAE | Bangladesh | June 24, 2008 |
| 4 | 226/7 | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | June 25, 2008 |
| 5 | 245 | Afghanistan | Bangladesh | September 3, 2023 |
UAE’s 148 against Sri Lanka in 2008 is the lowest completed total in Asia Cup matches at Gaddafi Stadium.
Bangladesh’s 193 against Pakistan in the 2023 Super Fours is the lowest by a Full Member team at this venue.
Highest Individual Scores in Asia Cup at Gaddafi Stadium
Four centuries have been scored in Asia Cup matches at Gaddafi Stadium, all by batters from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Here is the list of the top individual knocks.
| Sr.No. | Score | Batter | Team | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 112* (119) | Mehidy Hasan Miraz | BAN | Afghanistan | Sep 3, 2023 |
| 2 | 109 (126) | Mohammad Ashraful | BAN | UAE | June 24, 2008 |
| 3 | 104 (105) | N. H. Shanto | BAN | Afghanistan | Sep 3, 2023 |
| 4 | 101 (91) | Kumar Sangakkara | SL | Bangladesh | June 25, 2008 |
| 5 | 92 (84) | Kusal Mendis | SL | Afghanistan | Sep 5, 2023 |
| 6 | 78 (84) | Imam-ul-Haq | PAK | Bangladesh | Sep 6, 2023 |
| 7 | 74 (67) | C. Kapugedera | SL | Bangladesh | June 25, 2008 |
| 8 | 72 (47) | S. Jayasuriya | SL | Bangladesh | June 25, 2008 |
Centuries Scored in Asia Cup at Gaddafi Stadium
Mehidy Hasan Miraz holds the record for the highest individual score in Asia Cup matches at Gaddafi Stadium.
Specifically, his 112 not out against Afghanistan in 2023 came from 119 balls, including six fours and two sixes.
Miraz retired hurt after injuring his left hand while hitting a six, which makes the knock even more remarkable. (Source: Dawn.com, Sep 3, 2023)
In the same match, Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 104 off 105 balls with nine fours and two sixes.
Their 194-run partnership for the third wicket powered Bangladesh to 334/5, their highest ODI total outside home at the time. (Source: Dawn.com)
Mohammad Ashraful’s 109 against UAE during the 2008 Asia Cup was the first century scored in Asia Cup cricket at Gaddafi Stadium.
His captain’s knock of 109 off 126 balls set up a comfortable 96-run win over the associate side. (Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Kumar Sangakkara matched that class the very next day, stroking 101 off 91 balls against Bangladesh with 16 fours. (Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Best Bowling Figures in Asia Cup at Gaddafi Stadium
Haris Rauf’s hostile 4/19 against Bangladesh in the 2023 Super Fours is the most economical four-wicket haul at this venue in Asia Cup history.
Here are the standout bowling performances.
| Sr.No. | Figures | Bowler | Team | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4/19 (6 ov) | Haris Rauf | PAK | Bangladesh | Sep 6, 2023 |
| 2 | 4/44 (9 ov) | Taskin Ahmed | BAN | Afghanistan | Sep 3, 2023 |
| 3 | 4/60 (10 ov) | Gulbadin Naib | AFG | Sri Lanka | Sep 5, 2023 |
| 4 | 4/79 (10 ov) | Kasun Rajitha | SL | Afghanistan | Sep 5, 2023 |
| 5 | 3/34 (5.4 ov) | Naseem Shah | PAK | Bangladesh | Sep 6, 2023 |
| 6 | 3/36 (7 ov) | Shoriful Islam | BAN | Afghanistan | Sep 3, 2023 |
| 7 | 3/55 (10 ov) | Abdur Razzak | BAN | Sri Lanka | June 25, 2008 |
Haris Rauf bowled with serious pace and accuracy during that 2023 Super Four match.
Indeed, he conceded just 19 runs in his six overs at an economy of 3.16, tearing through Bangladesh’s top order. (Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Interestingly, five of the seven entries in this table came from the 2023 edition alone.
By contrast, the 2008 edition at Lahore saw higher scores across the board, giving bowlers fewer opportunities for standout spells.
Biggest Victory Margins in Asia Cup at Gaddafi Stadium
Sri Lanka’s dominance at Gaddafi Stadium during the 2008 Asia Cup produced the two largest victory margins in terms of runs.
| Sr.No. | Margin | Winner | Loser | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 142 runs | Sri Lanka | UAE | June 26, 2008 |
| 2 | 131 runs | Sri Lanka | Bangladesh | June 25, 2008 |
| 3 | 96 runs | Bangladesh | UAE | June 24, 2008 |
| 4 | 89 runs | Bangladesh | Afghanistan | Sep 3, 2023 |
| 5 | 7 wickets | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Sep 6, 2023 |
| 6 | 2 runs | Sri Lanka | Afghanistan | Sep 5, 2023 |
The 2-run thriller between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in 2023 stands as the closest finish in Asia Cup history at Gaddafi Stadium. More on that one below.
The Closest Finish: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup 2023
If you watched this game live, you probably still need therapy.
Sri Lanka posted 291/8 in their 50 overs, with Kusal Mendis scoring 92 off 84 balls as the top scorer.
However, Afghanistan needed 292 to win but also had an NRR target.
They had to chase it down within 37.1 overs to qualify for the Super Fours.
Mohammad Nabi played the innings of his life, smashing 65 off just 32 balls with six fours and five sixes. (Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Hashmatullah Shahidi contributed 59 off 66 balls at the other end.
Afghanistan’s chase reached 289 before Dhananjaya de Silva picked up two crucial wickets in 1.4 overs to end the drama. (Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Kasun Rajitha also grabbed 4/79, while Wellalage took two wickets to support the cause.
Sri Lanka scraped through by just 2 runs, one of the most dramatic Asia Cup matches ever played at any venue.
Asia Cup 2008 at Gaddafi Stadium: Match-by-Match Breakdown
The 2008 Asia Cup was Pakistan’s first time hosting the tournament.
Group A matches (Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, UAE) were held at Gaddafi Stadium, while Group B (India, Pakistan, Hong Kong) played in Karachi. (Source: Wikipedia, 2008 Asia Cup)
Bangladesh vs UAE (June 24, 2008)
Bangladesh opened the tournament at Lahore with a 96-run victory over the United Arab Emirates.
Captain Mohammad Ashraful led from the front with 109 off 126 balls, his best Asia Cup knock.
As a result, Bangladesh set a target of 301, which UAE never looked like reaching.
Khurram Khan’s 78 was the standout effort for UAE, but it wasn’t enough. (Source: Grokipedia, 2008 Asia Cup)
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (June 25, 2008)
Sri Lanka put on a batting clinic, amassing 357/9 in their 50 overs.
Kumar Sangakkara scored 101 off 91 balls (16 fours), reaching his century in just 88 balls. (Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Sanath Jayasuriya was explosive at the top, hammering 72 off 47 balls with 10 fours and 3 sixes. (Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Additionally, Chamara Kapugedera chipped in with a brisk 74 off 67 balls.
In reply, Bangladesh managed 226/7, with Mushfiqur Rahim top-scoring with 44.
Muttiah Muralitharan picked up 2/37 from his 10 overs to stifle the chase. (Source: ESPNcricinfo)
This remains the highest-scoring Asia Cup match at Gaddafi Stadium to date.
Sri Lanka vs UAE (June 26, 2008)
Sri Lanka posted 290/9 batting first against the associate side.
UAE were bowled out for just 148 in 36.3 overs, handing Sri Lanka a massive 142-run win. (Source: ESPNcricinfo)
This victory margin remains the largest in Asia Cup history at Gaddafi Stadium.
Asia Cup 2023 at Gaddafi Stadium: Match-by-Match Breakdown
The 2023 Asia Cup brought ODI cricket back to Gaddafi Stadium after 15 years.
Three matches were hosted in Lahore: two Group B games and one Super Four fixture.
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan (September 3, 2023)
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (112* off 119 balls) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (104 off 105 balls) put on a record 194-run partnership for the third wicket. (Source: Dawn.com, Sep 3, 2023)
Consequently, Bangladesh posted 334/5, their highest ODI total outside home at the time.
Afghanistan’s reply fell short at 245, with Taskin Ahmed taking 4/44 and Shoriful Islam grabbing 3/36. (Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Bangladesh won by 89 runs, keeping their Super Fours qualification hopes alive.
Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan (September 5, 2023)
Already covered in the closest finish section above, this was a 2-run thriller.
Kusal Mendis top-scored with 92 for Sri Lanka, while Mohammad Nabi’s 65 off 32 balls nearly pulled off the impossible for Afghanistan. (Source: ESPNcricinfo)
This result also eliminated Afghanistan from the tournament and confirmed Bangladesh’s spot in the Super Fours.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh (September 6, 2023)
Pakistan played their only Asia Cup match at Gaddafi Stadium and made it count with a commanding 7-wicket victory.
Haris Rauf ripped through Bangladesh’s batting with figures of 4/19 in 6 overs at an economy of 3.16. (Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Naseem Shah supported with 3/34 as Bangladesh were bundled out for 193.
In the chase, Imam-ul-Haq anchored the innings with 78 off 84 balls (5 fours, 4 sixes). (Source: ESPNcricinfo)
Mohammad Rizwan finished things off with an unbeaten 63 off 79 balls, wrapping up the win with over 10 overs to spare.
Key Asia Cup Records at Gaddafi Stadium: Summary
For a quick reference, here are the major records from Asia Cup matches at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
| Record | Holder | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | Sri Lanka | 357/9 vs BAN (2008) |
| Lowest Total (all out) | UAE | 148 vs SL (2008) |
| Highest Individual Score | Mehidy Hasan Miraz (BAN) | 112* vs AFG (2023) |
| Best Bowling Figures | Haris Rauf (PAK) | 4/19 vs BAN (2023) |
| Largest Victory (runs) | Sri Lanka | 142 runs vs UAE (2008) |
| Closest Finish | Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan | 2 runs (2023) |
| Most Centuries | Bangladesh batters | 3 centuries (Miraz, Shanto, Ashraful) |
| Total Matches Hosted | Asia Cup 2008 + 2023 | 6 ODIs |
| Batting First Win % | Teams batting first | 83% (5 out of 6) |
How the Gaddafi Stadium Pitch Behaves in Asia Cup Matches
The surface at Gaddafi Stadium has been consistently batting-friendly across both Asia Cup editions.
The average first-innings total across the six matches is approximately 278, and teams batting first have won five of those six games.
Nevertheless, fast bowlers have found some movement with the new ball, especially under lights.
For instance, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah’s spells in the 2023 PAK vs BAN match are the best examples of this.
However, once the ball gets older, batting becomes significantly easier.
Similarly, spinners have had moderate success, with Muralitharan’s 2/37 in 2008 and Wellalage’s 2/36 in 2023 being the notable contributions.
During the 2023 Asia Cup, both games at Lahore saw first-innings scores above 290. (Source: Sportskeeda, Sep 6, 2023)
Dew has also been a factor in night matches, making chasing slightly harder as the ball gets slippery for bowlers.
Gaddafi Stadium: A Quick Overview
Gaddafi Stadium is the largest cricket stadium in Pakistan, with a seating capacity of 34,000. (Source: Wikipedia)
Located in Lahore, Punjab, it serves as the headquarters of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Originally, the stadium was built in 1959 and named Lahore Stadium before being renamed in 1972.
Moreover, it hosted the 1996 Cricket World Cup final between Sri Lanka and Australia, one of the most iconic ODIs ever played.
More recently, Gaddafi Stadium hosted four matches of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, including the semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand. (Source: Wikipedia)
On top of the Asia Cup, the ground has staged over 40 Tests, 70+ ODIs, and 30+ T20Is in its long history.
Final Thoughts
Gaddafi Stadium has been a solid stage for Asia Cup cricket, even though it has hosted just six matches so far.
In particular, Sri Lanka have been the dominant force here, winning three out of four matches.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh batters own the individual records, holding three of the four centuries scored at this venue in Asia Cup matches.
Therefore, with Pakistan likely to host more Asia Cup editions in the future, these records could grow significantly in the years ahead.
