The Iran national cricket team () is a cricket team representing Iran in international cricket. They became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2003 and an associate member in 2017.
History Cricket was introduced in Iran in the 1920s and 1930s by the British who were working in the oil industry but it ceased when the oil industry was nationalised in 1951. Cricket was reintroduced in the early 1990s by Iranians who had studied abroad. Iran joined the Asian Cricket Council in 2003. Iran's men's cricket league was established in 2014 with eight teams as participants and Chah Bahar became the first winners. In the same year, women's cricket league was also established which was won by Mashhad.
Following their admission to the International Cricket Council, they made their international debut at the 2004 ACC Trophy, and played again in the 2006 tournament. On both occasions, they failed to progress beyond the first round. With the separation of the ACC Trophy into Elite and Challenge divisions, following their performance at the 2006 ACC Trophy Iran have since competed in the Challenge divisions in both 2009 and in the 2010 competition, finishing in the firth place on both occasions.
2018–present In April 2018, the ICC decided to grant full Twenty20 International (T20I) status to all its members. Therefore, all Twenty20 matches played between Iran and other ICC members after 1 January 2019 have the full T20I status.
Iran played their first T20I against UAE on 23 February 2020 during the 2020 ACC Western Region T20.
As of 1 January 2024, Iran is ranked 106th in T20I Rankings by the ICC.
Team colours Iran's kits vary from year to year; the team have worn kits in green color,https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRekJvf5ZCnYCrTqkZ5XonVoT2dL8d8g6ztm-BR72N4pbQeh97PSg at times red kits and also grey kits. The kits always have 'Iran' written on the front of the jersey; usually Iran's cricket logo and at times sponsor logos also appear.
Tournament history Asia Cup Qualifier 2018: Did not participate 2020: Did not qualify
ACC Western Region T20 2019: Did not play 2020: Group stage
ACC Trophy Challenge Competitions Host/YearRound/Rank 2004 Trophy1st round 2006 Trophy1st round 2009 Challenge5th place 2010 Challenge5th place 2012 Challenge5th place 2023 ChallengerGroup Stage
ACC Middle East Cup Host/YearRound/Rank 20065th place(out of 5 teams)
Head coaches
Hossein Ali Salimian (2004-05) Shahid Aslam (2006) Nariman Bakhtiar (2007-08)http://hamazoor.ir/persian/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1437&Itemid=1329 Armond Nahabedian (2009-10) Mahmood Rashid Dar (2011-15) Adrian Mirfakhrai (2015-2016) Mohammad Yousof Raisi (2022-2024)
Records and statistics
International Match Summary — Iran
Last updated 25 February 2020 Playing Record Format M W L T NR Inaugural Match Twenty20 Internationals 3 0 3 0 0 23 February 2020
Twenty20 International Highest team total: 108/8 v Kuwait, 25 February 2020 at Al Amerat Cricket Stadium, Muscat Highest individual score: 39, Yousef Shadzehisarjou v Kuwait, 25 February 2020 at Al Amerat Cricket Stadium, Muscat Best individual bowling figures: 1/10, Nader Zahadiafzal v Saudi Arabia, 24 February 2020 at Al Amerat Cricket Stadium, Muscat
T20I record versus other nations
Records complete to T20I #1061. Last updated 25 February 2020. Opponent M W L T NR First match First win vs Associate Members 1 0 1 0 0 25 February 2020 1 0 1 0 0 24 February 2020 1 0 1 0 0 23 February 2020
Other matches For a list of selected international matches played by Iran, see Cricket Archive.
Other records
Limited-overs records
Highest team total: 369/6 v China, January 13, 2009 at Gymkhana Club, Chiang Mai Lowest team total: 29 v Nepal, June 14, 2004 at Kelab Aman, Kuala Lumpur
Highest limited-overs scores for Iran
PlayerRunsOppositionVenueYearNariman Bakhtiar 120 Gymkhana Club, Chiang Mai 2009Shirmohammad Baloochnezhad 119 Gymkhana Club, Chiang Mai 2009
Most limited-overs runs for Iran
PlayerRunsTotal matchesCareer spanShirmohammad Baloochnezhad 420142006-2012Nariman Bakhtiar 408102006-2009
Best bowling figures in an innings for Iran
BowlerFigureOppositionVenueYearAbdul Ghafar Bejarzehi 5/55 Doha Entertainment City Ground, Kuwait City 2006Afshin Tirehdast 4/10 Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club, Maerim 2012Naiem Bameri 4/12 Terdthai Cricket Ground, Bangkok 2010Raez Mehrazar 4/30 Kelab Aman, Kuala Lumpur 2004Loghman Sheikhi 4/33 Prem Tinsulanonda International School, Chiang Mai 2009Abdolvahab Ebrahimpour 4/41 Asian Institute of Technology Ground, Bangkok 2010
See also List of Iran Twenty20 International cricketers Iran national women's cricket team
References
External links .