Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur – the home of Bangladesh cricket. Famous for its world-class drainage system, historic BAN vs IND 2007 Test, and modern cricket facilities in Dhaka.
The Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, named after A.K. Fazlul Haque, one of Bangladesh’s most respected leaders and freedom fighters of the 1940s, is located about 10 kilometers outside central Dhaka in Mirpur.
The move from Bangabandhu National Stadium to Mirpur was initially met with resistance, but the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided to build a stadium dedicated solely to cricket and carried on despite criticism.
📜 History and Structure
- The most striking feature of this stadium is its drainage system, regarded as the best in the subcontinent.
- Originally built for football and athletics, the ground was rectangular in shape.
- To make it cricket-friendly, major changes were made: the athletics tracks were removed, soil excavated, PVC pipes laid, and the field refilled with rock chips, sand, and grass.
- The ground has a balanced slope, with a difference of around 29 inches from the pitch to the boundary.
🏏 Cricketing Milestones
- First Test Match: Bangladesh vs India in May 2007.
- Heavy overnight rain did not affect the start of play, thanks to the efficient drainage facilities.
- The pitch is usually described as slow and flat, often favoring batsmen.
- Initially, the floodlights were designed for football matches, but later adjustments were planned to suit cricket needs.
🌟 Unique Features
- The stadium is still evolving but is already recognized as one of the leading venues in the subcontinent.
- The triangular spaces beneath the stands have been used for furniture shops.
- Next to the stadium, a grassless plot hosts nearly 20 tennis-ball cricket matches every morning and evening.
- For this reason, the venue has become the new home of Bangladesh cricket.
📌 Key Facts (At a Glance)
- 📍 Location: Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- 🏏 First Test: Bangladesh vs India (2007)
- 🌧️ Drainage System: One of the best in South Asia
- ⚡ Floodlights: Initially built for football, later upgraded for cricket
- 🏟️ Special Recognition: The home of Bangladesh cricket
