‘Bangladesh's one of the best wickets is being neglected’

Bangladesh’s veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim said that one of the country’s best cricket wickets is being neglected as he voiced strong support for the revival of Shaheed Chandu Stadium in Bogura.

Mushfiqur made the comments on Thursday while visiting his childhood playing ground during an honoring ceremony arranged to mark his 100th Test appearance. Another national team cricketer from Bogura, Towhid Hridoy, handed over the commemorative crest to the former captain, describing the moment as a dream come true.

Reflecting on Shaheed Chandu Stadium, where his cricketing journey began, Mushfiqur highlighted the need for greater investment and facilities for local players.

“There is also the matter of sponsorship. If we get a bit more support from that side, Insha Allah, we will start very soon. You will be able to see it for yourselves when we begin. As I mentioned, this is where my playing career started. It's not just me; I believe many players from our Bogura play at the international level, and many play in the Dhaka League. I think there should be a facility here where our local players, who stay in Bogura most of the time, can get enough opportunities and facilities for practice. That will be one of our efforts,” he said.

The only Bangladeshi wicketkeeper-batter to score a double century in Tests also recalled the stadium’s past prominence and lamented its decline over the years.

“As for what was said, Insha Allah, my wish is, I last played an international match here in 2006, which was a long time ago, and it was a Test match. Since then, I think this field has been neglected. Not just me, but others like Tamim and Hridoy, who have played here, have all said that this is one of the best wickets in Bangladesh. Even during the Premier League, 300+ runs and 320 runs were chased here. So, if international cricket returns here, it will definitely be a big achievement for Bangladesh. Of course, it is possible, but it requires planning. It’s not just about the field and the wicket; there are surrounding factors like hotels and the need for an airport for convenience,” Mushfiqur added.

Shaheed Chandu Stadium most recently hosted National Cricket League (NCL) T20 matches, which were disrupted due to drainage problems. Addressing the issue, Mushfiqur identified infrastructure as the main obstacle to the venue’s revival.

“The biggest problem we have now is the drainage system. As you saw during the NCL T20s held here, we were deprived of play because of the rain. I believe if the drainage system is fixed and other small issues are addressed, then Insha Allah, everything needed for international matches will be ready,” he said.