Outside the city, by the river
Two name changes in six years, and a few other enhancements in store for the World Cup
03-Nov-2010
The Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, early in 2010 • Stu Forster/Getty Images
Situated on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, Chittagong is Bangladesh's second-largest city and the country's main sea port. The city is home to two international cricket grounds - the MA Aziz Stadium and the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. The latter will host two World Cup games.
Chittagong has private academies and coaching camps operated by the Bangladesh Cricket Board's Game development Committee and a thriving club cricket scene. The top tournament is the Port City League (PCL), a Twenty20 competition that started in 2008-09. The top Bangladeshi players are put on auction and Test and first-class cricketers (from Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) have played for different PCL teams. The second edition was held in Sharjah, UAE. Chittagong also has its own limited-overs cricket league.
Among the better known players the city has produced are Tamim Iqbal, Akram Khan and Aftab Ahmed.
The venue
The ZA Chowdhury Stadium has undergone two name changes since it was established in the run-up to the 2004 Under-19 World Cup. Originally the Chittagong Divisional Stadium, it became the Bir Shrestha Shahid Ruhul Amin Stadium, before taking on the present name. It was granted full international status in January 2006.
The ZA Chowdhury Stadium has undergone two name changes since it was established in the run-up to the 2004 Under-19 World Cup. Originally the Chittagong Divisional Stadium, it became the Bir Shrestha Shahid Ruhul Amin Stadium, before taking on the present name. It was granted full international status in January 2006.
Unlike the MA Aziz, which is in the heart of the town, this stadium is about a half hour from the city centre. An unremarkable concrete bowl set in agricultural land, it is being virtually rebuilt for the World Cup and the targeted capacity is approximately 18,000. The sea breeze provides a welcome respite for players and spectators alike.
Great matches
Bangladesh v Zimbabwe, 2009
Chasing 222 in a dead rubber, the home side were all but out of it with 35 needed and only one wicket in hand. Naeem Islam, who had Nazmul Hossain for company, turned down many singles before hitting Chamu Chibhabha for three consecutive sixes to seal a thrilling one-wicket win.
Bangladesh v Zimbabwe, 2009
Chasing 222 in a dead rubber, the home side were all but out of it with 35 needed and only one wicket in hand. Naeem Islam, who had Nazmul Hossain for company, turned down many singles before hitting Chamu Chibhabha for three consecutive sixes to seal a thrilling one-wicket win.
Top performers in ODIs
Most runs Aftab Ahmed, 142 runs at 35.50 | Top score Brendan Taylor, 118*
Most wickets Abdur Razzak, 13 wickets at 19.38 | Best bowling Tim Bresnan, 4 for 28
Most runs Aftab Ahmed, 142 runs at 35.50 | Top score Brendan Taylor, 118*
Most wickets Abdur Razzak, 13 wickets at 19.38 | Best bowling Tim Bresnan, 4 for 28
Home team
The stadium is the base of the domestic team Chittagong Division. They were champions of the National Cricket League one-day competition in 2003-04, and runners-up in the most recent NCL first-class competition, losing out to Rajshahi Division on first-innings points. Nazimuddin, Faisal Hossain and Kamrul Islam are some of the promising players in the side.
The stadium is the base of the domestic team Chittagong Division. They were champions of the National Cricket League one-day competition in 2003-04, and runners-up in the most recent NCL first-class competition, losing out to Rajshahi Division on first-innings points. Nazimuddin, Faisal Hossain and Kamrul Islam are some of the promising players in the side.