Established: 2004
Capacity: 20,000
Floodlights: Yes
Ends: North End, Pavilion End
Home Team: Pakistan
Test history: 2 Tests (2 draws)
Toss history: 2 bowled first (2 draws)

Overview

Named after president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the ground is situated on the outskirts of the suburbs and cost in excess of 22 million US dollars to build.

Despite its hefty price tag, the arena pales in comparison, facilities and stature to Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

While its UAE neighbour brags an innovative lighting system, dubbed the 'ring of fire', and lavish stands, changing rooms and pavilion, this more modest arena makes do with standard floodlight pylons, twin grass embankments on either side of the pitch and air-conditioned glass rooms.

Shade is hard to come by for spectators, who need to drive about 30 minutes from the city centre to get to the ground.

Last Time Out

Had they taken their catches, then Pakistan might well have been able to record victory over Sri Lanka last October. Instead they were punished by Kumar Sangakkara, whose double century in the second innings was just good enough to save a shaky Sri Lanka's bacon.

Pakistan won the toss and stuck Sri Lanka in, a decision which was justified when Junaid Khan's five-wicket haul saw Sri Lanka dismissed for just 197 on the first day.

Misbah-ul-Haq's side responded with a mammoth 511 for six declared, based on Taufeeq Umar's 236, and when Sri Lanka were reduced to 233 for five an innings defeat looked a formality.

But Pakistan spurned several chances, and Sangakkara mounted a 201-run partnership with Prasanna Jayawardene that ensured Sri Lanka had a lead of 169 by the time they were finally bowled out in the final session of the match.

Pakistan had 21 overs to make 170, but politely declined a Twenty20-style chase and instead took the 0-0 series scoreline to Dubai for the second Test.

Happy Hunting Ground

It's no surprise that most of Pakistan's batsmen have good records here, with Misbah-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali leading the pack with averages in the 90s. That suggests that patient batsmen who don't try and force the pace on slow pitches tend to do well.

After a double century in his last outing, Taufeeq Umar also has great numbers - he's Pakistan's highest scorer on this ground with 311 runs at 77.75.

Pakistan did manage to take 20 Sri Lankan wickets, but not before they'd conceded close to 700 runs so everyone's average is fairly modest. The exception was Junaid Khan, who took six wickets at 20 apiece but hasn't played a Test since.

England may be pleased to learn that Saeed Ajmal took just three wickets in that Sri Lanka match, at a cost of 74 runs each.

They Said

"We had a look at it this morning but after the first over was bowled it really took us all by surprise. We were going to bat in any case but it did a lot more than we thought. It has certainly done a little for bowlers and that can help the bowlers throughout along with inconsistent bounce to add to that. There is always something for the seamers and it is hard work batting." - Proteas batsman Jacques Kallis reacts after day one of their Test against Pakistan.

"The groundsman needs to ensure the game of Test cricket stays healthy and produces a good contest between bat and ball. It didn't really live up to expectations and you can probably play another Test match straight away and not get a result." - Kallis reflects after the bore draw.

"I would like to see this pitch deteriorate a little bit more. It looks fairly placid at the moment and I haven't really seen it break up. I think it did move a lot on day one and a little bit less on day two and today it was less again." - then South Africa coach Corrie van Zyl hopes after day three didn't transpire.

Weather

It's winter in the United Arab Emirates, so while that doesn't mean there will be rain it does mean that temperatures will peak at around 20 degrees celsius each day. Rather pleasant weather then, if a bit on the chilly side.

Conclusion

In the two Tests so far, there has been a little something for the bowlers on the first day. But thereafter it gets flatter and slower and resembles a quintessential bowler's graveyard.

Pakistan did manage to take 20 wickets here last year, and could have done so quicker had they held their catches, but it's worth remembering just how poor Sri Lanka were in that series.

With this in mind one would imagine that a result will only be forthcoming if one team produces a really poor batting performance.

As Alastair Cook said: "It's always nice when you turn up to a ground where history suggest you can score runs. But that doesn't really count for anything. We've got to go out and put our poor performance behind us."

England are likely to find it difficult to force a result here, so the series could well be unwinnable for them.

But there hasn't been a great deal of turn here, so this could be a good venue for their batsmen to get to grips with Saeed Ajmal ahead of a deciding Test back in Dubai.