Just Dhaka and Ctg?
The Bangladesh Cricket Board's decision to host the entire Zimbabwe series in only two cities --Dhaka and Chittagong -- has brought to the fore an alarming question. With eight internationally recognised stadiums in the country and with a total of eight international games to be played, why is it that only a small portion of the nation gets the pie?
Of the six remaining -- Dhaka and Chittagong will host the matches -- there are at least three cities which could easily have been a part of the series in October.
The Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogra made a great beginning in 2006 when it hosted Zimbabwe, Kenya and Sri Lanka that year. However, in terms of international success that was as far as Bogra went. The last international match played there was an ODI in December 2006.
The Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna saw Abul Hasan create history by scoring a century after coming in to bat at number 10 in Test cricket and also witnessed Bangladesh notch two ODI wins against the West Indies back in 2012. The people of Khulna however, don't know when they can witness such feats again.
The Sylhet Divisional Stadium was renovated in quick time ahead of the ICC World T20. However, after the main event the remaining work at the picturesque ground seems to have slowed down. According to the board the stadium is still undergoing work with regards to its drainage system and hence will not be able to host matches there.
“We are hosting the series in only two cities because of logistical difficulties. We did think about Sylhet but the drainage system is undergoing work. The match referees had a few observations regarding the hotels in Khulna because of which it was outside our plans.
“There are similar travelling and hotel issues in Bogra as well. We are expecting to develop the infrastructures of these venues soon,” said Nizamuddin Chowdhury, BCB's acting CEO.
While television broadcasters no doubt have managed to take the game to far corners of the country, international games taking place in one's own backyard is a point of special pride for most people.
After the completion of the stadium at Cox's Bazar, local hero and national top order Mominul Haque said that, because of the development, he believed that many more people would be encouraged to take up the sport in the coastal town.
Yes, the stadiums in questions do have problems but none of them are unsolvable, considering the fact that they did receive international recognition, which in itself suggests that the logistical facilities were up the mark. If such a trend does continue these venues will be remembered as mere structures which once stood as landmarks of Bangladesh's cricket.
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