National Cricket Stadium, Tangier

National Cricket Stadium
Ground information
Location Tangier, Morocco
Coordinates Coordinates: 35°46′18″N 5°51′21″W / 35.77167°N 5.85583°W / 35.77167; -5.85583
Capacity 5,000
Owner Government of Morocco
Operator Moroccan Cricket Association
End names
Pavilion End
Cape Spartel End
International information
First ODI 12 August 2002:
 Pakistan v  South Africa
Last ODI 21 August 2002:
 South Africa v  Sri Lanka
Team information
Morocco (2004)
As of 20 July 2009
Source: Ground profile

The National Cricket Stadium is a cricket ground located in the Tangiers, Morocco. It is the only stadium in Morocco that has been used for senior cricket.

Stadium hosted its first International Tournament from 12 to 21 August 2002. Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka competed in a 50-overs one day triangular series.[1]

The ICC has granted international status to the Tangier Cricket Stadium in Morocco official approval that will allow it to become North Africa's first international cricket venue.

History

The stadium was constructed by Dubai-based construction tycoon Abdur Rahmann Bukhatir as part of his plan to globalise cricket and spread it throughout the Arab world.[2]

The ground was selected to hold the 2002 Morocco Cup, which was a tri-series One Day International competition involving Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka.[2] Seven One Day Internationals were played during the competition, with Sri Lanka eventually winning it.[3]

This was the first time One Day Internationals had been held by an Affiliate member nation of the International Cricket Council, though top-class cricket hasn't returned to the ground since.

In 2004, Morocco played two matches there against the touring Marylebone Cricket Club.[4]

Facilities

  • Practice area: 6 turf wickets and 2 concrete wickets
  • Stadium capacity: 5000
  • Bowling machines
  • Large changing rooms for players
  • The ground is available for hire upon request
  • Fitness Centre
  • SPA: massage, Jacuzzi, beauty-saloon, aroma- therapy, reflexology
  • Sports Centre with multiple usage
  • 72 equipped suites
  • 56 bungalows
  • Restaurant
  • Club House

Decline

The stadium has gradually fallen into decline, in doing so casting a shadow over the future of Morrocan Cricket.

Due to mismanagement and a lack of funds the stadium has not bee maintained. The wicket that once existed is now a feeding ground for sheep, and there is a digger stuck in mud in the outfield. Cricket matches have not been played in the stadium for over five years.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "New ground: Five unusual cricket venues". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  2. 1 2 Austin, Charlie (11 August 2002). "Tangiers Cricket Stadium: a new chapter in a construction tycoon's dream". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  3. ↑ "One-Day International Matches played on National Cricket Stadium, Tangier". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  4. ↑ "Other matches played on National Cricket Stadium, Tangier". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  5. ↑ "Can Moroccan cricket ever be revived?, Stumped - BBC World Service". BBC. Retrieved 2018-02-14.
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