Doubts hovering over the status of Sylhet Divisional Stadium as an ICC World Twenty20 venue were removed on Wednesday after the visiting ICC inspection team were happy with its progress.
‘We are satisfied with its progress and to be honest it is quite ready to host International matches,’ Chris Tetley, the ICC event manager, told the media at an impromptu press meet at the stadium.
‘As far as beauty is concerned this is one of the leading venues of the country,’ said Tetley.
The venue remained one of the major concerns preparation-wise for the Bangladesh Cricket Board ahead of the ICC World Twenty20, which will be held in three Bangladesh cities from March 16 to April 6.
The ICC had earlier expressed its concern regarding Sylhet venue and gave Bangladesh a deadline of November 30 to complete the construction work
The seven-member team of the ICC led by Tetley watched the infrastructural development in and around the venue before announcing their findings in public.
The BCB high-ups, who accompanied the visitors, included senior vice-president Mahbub Anam and Sylhet Divisional Sports Association general secretary Shafiul Alam Chowdhury.
‘There is no chance of matches being shifted from this venue prepared for the ICC World Twenty20,’ Anam told reporters.
Apart from hosting the 30 matches of the women’s category there will be six matches of the men’s section during the ICC Wor;ld Twentry 20.
The venue is expected to make its international debut during the home series against Sri Lanka early next year as it is scheduled to host a one-day international on February 17.
-With New Age input
