Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, cricket stadium near Kandy, Sri Lanka
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is a sports venue in the hills east of Kandy that holds about 35,000 spectators. The grounds feature well-maintained grass, modern dressing rooms, training areas, and floodlights for evening matches.
The stadium opened in November 2009 and became the 104th Test cricket venue worldwide. It was built partly to host the 2011 Cricket World Cup and replaced older cricket grounds in Kandy.
Cricket fans from across the country gather here to watch matches and cheer for their teams with colorful banners and loud voices. This reflects how deeply the sport connects people from different backgrounds in Sri Lankan life.
The venue is about 15 kilometers east of Kandy and is reachable by bus or tuk-tuk in about 30 minutes. Food stalls and restrooms are available, and parking is offered, though arriving early is recommended for major matches.
A partnership of 282 runs for the first wicket between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe holds the record as the highest opening stand in a Cricket World Cup match played here. The ground is often called the Muttiah Muralitharan International Cricket Stadium after the legendary local spin bowler.
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