A six-member delegation from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expressed satisfaction with the facilities at Anvir Cricket Stadium at ABG Sports City ahead of Bangladesh's two-day warm-up match against the West Indies.
The match is scheduled for October 22 and 23. On Monday, the BCB delegation inspected the pitch, outfield, dressing rooms, medical facilities, logistics arrangements and media facilities to assess the venue's readiness.
Led by Syed Abdul Baten, national manager of the BCB's Grounds and Facilities Management Department, the delegation also identified areas requiring minor adjustments or improvements before the match.
After the inspection, Baten praised the venue and the cooperation extended by ABG Sports City.
“This is an excellent venue. We have been involved in organising sporting events for a long time, but this is the first time the BCB is holding a warm-up match at a private organisation's own venue,” he said, thanking ABG Sports City for the initiative.
He said the delegation had reviewed all key facilities, including the pitch, outfield, dressing rooms, medical and logistical arrangements, media seating and press coverage facilities.
“The facilities here are excellent. Everyone has been cooperative and helpful. We have discussed the details and identified areas where minor changes or improvements are needed,” he added.
The upcoming match is being viewed as an important test of the stadium's capacity to host higher-level cricket events in the future.
Another cricket ground is under construction at ABG Sports City, which also offers practice facilities. The BCB sees the two-day match as an opportunity to assess the venue's potential for hosting more cricket events.
“This two-day warm-up match will serve as a test case for us. Another ground is being developed at Bashundhara, and they also have good practice facilities,” Baten said.
ABG Sports City Director Md Imrul Hasan and ABG Senior General Manager Lieutenant Colonel Shoaeb Shafiq were among the officials present during the inspection.
Hasan described the upcoming match against the West Indies as a proud moment for ABG Sports City and Anvir Cricket Stadium.
“It is certainly a matter of pride for ABG Sports City and Anvir Cricket Stadium to host a two-day match involving the West Indies,” he said.
He added that the BCB delegation had been shown all the key facilities, including the ground, dressing rooms, media rooms and medical facilities.
“As we are new to organising events of this level, we are moving forward with guidance from the BCB. From our discussions, I believe they are fully satisfied,” Hasan said.
Anvir Cricket Stadium has previously hosted age-group cricket and various domestic matches, including a recent National Cricket League second-team fixture.
The upcoming warm-up match against the West Indies will provide the venue with an opportunity to gain experience in hosting a match involving an international team and demonstrate its operational readiness for larger cricket events.
