New venue gets test before West Indies warm-up

Anvir Cricket Stadium will get an important test of its readiness to host higher-level cricket when West Indies play a warm-up match there ahead of their two-Test series against Bangladesh later this month.

A six-member Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) inspection team visited the venue at Anvir Bashundhara Group Sports City on Monday and expressed satisfaction with the facilities ahead of the match, scheduled for October 22-24.

The delegation inspected the pitches, outfield, dressing rooms, medical facilities, logistics, journalists' seating and broadcast arrangements. Syed Abdul Baten, the BCB's national manager for grounds, said the board was satisfied with what it had seen.

He described the fixture as a test case for staging cricket involving an international touring side at an alternative venue. The BCB has previously held Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League and age-group matches at the ground.

The upcoming match carries significance beyond the immediate preparations for the Test series. Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur remains Dhaka's principal international cricket venue, leaving the capital with limited alternatives when major matches need to be staged.

Anvir Cricket Stadium could help address that shortage if it demonstrates that its playing surface, facilities and match operations meet the required standards. The BCB's inspection was intended both to assess readiness and to fine-tune arrangements before the visiting team takes the field.

ABG Sports City director Imrul Hasan said hosting West Indies was a matter of pride for the venue. He added that the BCB had provided guidance as the organisers prepared for the fixture.

Another cricket ground is under development at the complex, with plans to expand its capacity for hosting matches. The BCB and ABG Sports City have also discussed the possibility of staging further international fixtures at the venue.

Bangladesh is due to co-host the 2031 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, making the development of additional cricket facilities a longer-term priority. However, the West Indies warm-up will provide a more immediate assessment of Anvir's operational readiness.

West Indies will play the opening Test at Mirpur from October 28 before the series moves to Sylhet for the second match, starting November 5. A smooth warm-up fixture would strengthen Anvir Cricket Stadium's case for a wider role in Bangladesh cricket.