In this blog, we have compiled a list about 15 of the most well-known cricket venues in Pakistan. We will detail about Dring Stadium, Bahawalpur a well-known historical sports arena across the country, from its location to its most notable characteristics.

Dring Stadium Bahawalpur

History of Dring Stadium

Originally known as Dring Stadium, it was named after Sir John Dring, the second Prime Minister of Bahawalpur. From 1948 to 1952, Dring served as Prime Minister under Nawab Sadiq V. While it may not have been the first stadium of its kind, Dring Stadium was the first and only fully functional stadium in Pakistan. Since the first Test match was played there in 1954–55 during India’s first visit to Pakistan, this cricket stadium holds a special place in Western Pakistan’s cricket history.

Since the early days of Pakistan, Bahawalpur has been a hub for cricket. Even though, Boosted cricket in this country in 1936, it wasn’t until after independence that regular matches and active cricket began. In 1948, a consistent cricket club emerged in Bahawalpur. Mir Muhammad Hussain, a former secretary of Pakistan’s Board of Control for Cricket, and Tufail Shah, Col. Latif, Major Shafaat, Major Asad, Capt.

The club was founded by Rahim, Nawab Mirza Salahuddin, Mazhar Bukhari, Munawar Hussain, Tanvir Hussain, Mir Munir Hussain, and M. A. Aziz Watni. The cricket season opened on what is now a section of Government Sadiq Dane High School: the old Sadiq Egerton College Ground. In addition to cricket, other sports were played at this venue. There was a pressing need to support aspiring young cricketers so they could compete for spots on state and national teams.

Cricketers approached Makhdoomzada Hassan Mahmood, then the state’s young and bright minister of education, to ask for assistance in building a pavilion and a cricket ground. Because he is a cricket fan and player, Makhdoomzada Hassan Mahmood approved the plan and gave the go-ahead to build a new stadium.

As a result of these efforts, there is not only a cricket field and courts for other main sports, including tennis, basketball, and squash. The distinction of being the country’s first-ever stadium goes to the Bahawalpur Stadium. Cricket fields, hockey fields, football fields, basketball courts, squash courts, lawn tennis courts, a billiard room, a wrestling arena, a table tennis hall, an athletics track, and a stunning swimming pool are all available at Bahawalpur Stadium. Upon the stadium’s completion in 1951, a historic cricket match occurred for the first time.

The Ameer of Bahawalpur Eleven faced up against the Chief’s College Lahore Team in this contest. After a hard-fought contest, the Bahawalpur squad came out on top. The Sind Cricket Association, the Punjab Cricket Association, and the Ameer of Bahawalpur Cricket Teams later competed in a triangular event. As a result of this event, Bahawalpur now has a stronger cricket team. Recognized political and religious leader Syed Mardan Ali Shah (Peer of Paghara Sharif) captained the Sind Eleven. At the same time, Makhdoomzada Hassan Mahmood led the winning home team.

International Matches

Derrick Underwood took eight wickets in Bahawalpur in 1969 at the Dring Stadium.
Fast bowlers begin to dominate the bowling industry to an extent of 80% around 1990. There were also few spinners during this time who set exceptional records and immortalized themselves in the cricket game.
The era of Lance Gibbs and Richie Beno in the 1960s and 1970s was successful. Richie Benno and Lance Gibbs both became well-known for their leg-break bowling. Derek Underwood dominated traditional left-arm spin bowling from 1966 through 1982. During his professional career, Derrick is renowned for never bowling a wide ball and for bowling medium-fast with excellent control.

The 1969 English cricket team visited Pakistan and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). In the first week of February, the team faced off against Board XI at Dring Stadium in #Bahawalpur in their first first-class game following Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan. The English team’s starting eleven included Underwood and other well-known players. Six in the second inning and two in the first.
Keep in mind that in Bahawalpur, Lance Gibbs also claimed five wickets in one innings (1959).

Nigel Howard’s touring MCC team played a combined Bahawalpur and Karachi side in the inaugural international match in the 1951–1952 season. Hanif Muhammad, a young rookie then, was dubbed “Little Master Wazir Muhammad” by his elders. He was among the local eleven, featuring the ever-reliable duo of Imtiaz Ahmad and Maqsood Ahmad.

The final score of this match was 148 for a combined eleven from Bahawalpur and Karachi on December 9 (Imtiaz Ahmad scored 99, Hanif Muhammad scored 71, and Wazir Muhammad scored 67). In 3 wickets, MCC scored 123 and 131. (J.D Robertson 50 N.O) The score was a tie.

Before their 1953 tour of England, the Pakistan Eaglets trained at Bahawalpur. It was also here when the National Team destined for England in 1954 held their training camp. Bahawalpur maintained its status as Pakistan’s premier cricket hub. The years 1950–1960 were a high point for Bahawalpur cricket; not only did it host several international matches during this time, but it also hosted the only test match ever played in this area, between the touring Indian team and the local team.

Sports fans have not forgotten the historic century inning by Hanif Muhammad, the outstanding batting by Muhammad Aleem, or the bowling by Khan Muhammad, Ghulam Ahmad, and Indian Captain Vinod Mankad. Some visiting international teams to Bahawalpur include those from New Zealand, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, India, and England.

In 1954–55, during India’s first-ever visit of Pakistan, this venue hosted the second Test of the Indian cricket team. That being said, this was the only Test played at this venue. As of the year 2002, 155 first-class and 23 List A matches had been played there.

However, it was the only international match ever played here. Since its construction in 2002, the stadium has hosted 23 List A and 23 first-class matches. Only one first-class match and one List-A match were played at this venue throughout the next three seasons after 2002-03. However, Under-19 matches continue to be played there. A previous battleground, Dring Stadium, has been rebuilt.