With the Tigers already in the city and Canada due to land this morning, the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong is ready to give Bangladesh’s World Cup mission a kick-start with the first official warm-up game on February 12.
A quick look into the ground on Thursday dispelled much of the concerns that had once made the venue an embarrassment for Bangladesh.
A lush green outfield gave hopes of high scoring matches here, something which was unthinkable even a month ago.
During the last one-day international match played here between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe Tamim Iqbal had to go for sixes than taking singles only because it was tough for him to take any run hitting through the ground.
It left many wondering what would happen during the World Cup with the slow outfield and dry grass.
The organisers took the help of the local golf club staff who with their specially designed machine made the grass thinner making the outfield faster. They planted some new grass and used different equipment to give it a fresh look.
Sirajuddin Alamgir, the venue in-charge, heaved a sigh of relief as the installation of chairs at the gallery has also been completed.
Chittagong was recently cited as an example by the Indians after the ICC denied the Kolkata Eden Gardens the hosting rights of the India-England match, but it is now clear that there should not be any confusion about the Bangladesh-England match here.
By the time England will arrive here for their first World Cup match on March 11, everything will be completely ready, hoped Alamgir, also a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
‘We have some works still left. But it is no longer a worry for us. I am sure everything will be ready before the World Cup finally comes here,’ he said.
‘The Chittagong City Corporation is also working closely with us to give the city a facelift. I am sure you will see a different city during the World Cup time,’ Alamgir added.
