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| Muttiah Muralitharan Stadium | |
|---|---|
| Name | Muttiah Muralitharan Stadium |
| Fullname | Muttiah Muralitharan International Cricket Stadium |
| Location | Pallekele, Kandy District, Central Province, Sri Lanka |
| Opened | 2009 |
| Capacity | 35,000 |
| Owner | Sri Lanka Cricket |
| Operator | Sri Lanka Cricket |
| Surface | Grass (wicket pitches) |
| Tenants | Sri Lanka national cricket team |
Muttiah Muralitharan Stadium is an international cricket ground in Pallekele, Kandy District, Central Province, Sri Lanka, named after the former Sri Lanka national cricket team off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. The venue has hosted international One Day International, Twenty20 International, and Test matches as part of fixtures organized by Sri Lanka Cricket, the International Cricket Council, and regional tournaments such as the Asia Cup and ICC World Twenty20. It is associated with domestic clubs and provincial teams that compete in tournaments run by Sri Lanka Cricket and the Lanka Premier League.
The ground was developed during the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket to expand international venues beyond Colombo and Galle, with construction completed in the late 2000s and formal inauguration occurring in 2009. Early events included bilateral series featuring the Sri Lanka national cricket team against touring sides from nations such as Australia, Pakistan, England, and India, as well as hosting matches for the ICC World Twenty20 tournaments organized by the International Cricket Council. The stadium’s dedication to Muttiah Muralitharan reflects the influence of his career with Sri Lanka national cricket team, his performances in ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments, and his records in Test cricket and One Day International cricket. Over time, the venue became part of scheduling for regional competitions including the Asia Cup and served as a neutral or home venue for touring squads from Bangladesh national cricket team, New Zealand national cricket team, South Africa national cricket team, and West Indies cricket team.
Situated in Pallekele near the city of Kandy, the stadium lies within the Central Province of Sri Lanka and is accessible from major roads connecting to Colombo, Matale District, and Nuwara Eliya. Facilities include spectator stands, corporate boxes, media facilities accredited by the International Cricket Council, player dressing rooms, practice nets, and floodlights meeting standards for day-night fixtures in Twenty20 International and One Day International formats. The complex is managed by Sri Lanka Cricket and is adjacent to training grounds used by provincial sides such as Kandy District cricket team and academies affiliated with institutions including the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Academy. The wicket blocks and outfield maintenance adhere to practices recommended by turf management authorities used in venues like Galle International Stadium and R. Premadasa Stadium.
The stadium has staged fixtures across formats: Test cricket fixtures, One Day International matches, and Twenty20 International contests, including matches during the ICC World Twenty20 and rounds of the Asia Cup. Domestic competitions held include first-class matches in the Premier Trophy (Sri Lanka), limited overs matches in the Premier Limited Overs Tournament, and franchise fixtures akin to the Lanka Premier League modeled on tournaments such as the Indian Premier League and Big Bash League. The ground has also hosted tour matches involving teams from England cricket team, Australia national cricket team, and Pakistan national cricket team preparing for international series, as well as youth internationals under the auspices of Sri Lanka Cricket and International Cricket Council development programs.
Several significant performances have occurred at the venue, with batsmen achieving centuries in Test cricket and One Day International play and bowlers recording five-wicket hauls in both international and domestic fixtures. Notable international players who have produced landmark innings or bowling spells at the ground include members of Sri Lanka national cricket team such as Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, as well as visiting stars from India national cricket team, England cricket team, and South Africa national cricket team. The pitch historically produced results favoring spin bowling, contributing to match-winning spells comparable to those in venues like Galle International Stadium; at the same time, there have been high-scoring limited-overs matches reminiscent of contests at R. Premadasa Stadium. Tournament matches in ICC World Twenty20 editions held in Sri Lanka saw standout all-round performances and match-winning contributions from players representing franchises and national sides.
Since opening, the stadium has undergone periodic upgrades to seating, media infrastructure, floodlighting, and pitch drainage to comply with requirements set by the International Cricket Council and to host multi-format international fixtures. Improvements paralleled modernization efforts seen at other South Asian venues such as Eden Gardens and Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, including enhanced corporate facilities, security protocols coordinated with local authorities in Central Province, Sri Lanka, and spectator amenities intended to support crowds during Asia Cup and global tournament schedules. Renovation projects were implemented ahead of major events to meet broadcast standards used by networks covering ICC events.
Access to the stadium is primarily via road links from Kandy, with connections along the A26 and routes linking to Colombo and regional hubs such as Matale. Public transport options include buses operated on intercity routes and private hire services commonly used by supporters traveling for domestic and international matches, while parking and shuttle arrangements are organized for high-attendance fixtures similar to logistical plans used at R. Premadasa Stadium and Galle International Stadium. For international visitors, arrival points include Bandaranaike International Airport and onward surface travel to Kandy; local authorities and Sri Lanka Cricket coordinate transport plans during tournaments to facilitate team movements and spectator access.
Category:Cricket grounds in Sri Lanka Category:Sports venues in Kandy District