Sylhet International Cricket Stadium: Pitch Report, Boundary Length, Recent Matches & More

Whenever any infrastructure is made by the government for a larger purpose. Then the structure is not only public or holds one significant purpose. Rather it has the power to become a symbol of growth and development, a space that creates history. The same is true with Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, which is not only a space for cricket but also a larger space to create memories. In this blog, we provide you with a closer look at this ground with the details of its records, renovations, facilities, and many other details. 

Knowing Sylhet International Cricket Stadium

Sylhet International Cricket Stadium also known as Sylhet Stadium and called Sylhet Divisional Stadium, stands as a popular cricket ground in Sylhet Bangladesh. It is the homeground of Sylhet Division cricket team. This venue has a reputation for its scenic beauty, with green surroundings. The stadium saw significant growth in 2013 to host games for the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 and the 2014 ICC Women’s World Twenty20. On March 17, 2014, the stadium held its first international match where Ireland beat Zimbabwe. In 2022, this ground also hosted the Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup.

History of Sylhet International Cricket Stadium

Built in 2007, the stadium aimed to serve as a regional cricket spot. Mountains surround it offering a beautiful view & has tea garden. It’s Construction Architect (Contractor) is Masudur Rahman Khan. Teams like England Lions, England U-19, and Nepal U-19 have played here. The site hosted its first test match in November 2018 making it Bangladesh’s eighth test venue where the home team lost to Zimbabwe by 151 runs. The ground saw its second test match five years later, in 2023, after the first test match here in 2018.In November–December 2023, Bangladesh competed against New Zealand in a test match and won by 150 runs, achieving their inaugural test victory over New Zealand on home ground and at this particular venue.

Facilities of Sylhet International Cricket Stadium

Mentioned here are some of the top features that are available at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. These features are not only useful for players but also for audiences who enjoy the thrilling match with scenic views. 

• Player Facilities: The stadium features spacious locker rooms, areas for physical therapy, and modern training locations. These assist players in feeling comfortable and preparing for matches.
• Media and Broadcasting: The media centre features cutting-edge technology that facilitates the global broadcasting of matches. High-speed internet and sophisticated communication technologies enable journalists to disseminate news and insights immediately.
• Floodlights: Premium lighting enables the stadium to hold matches at night as well as in daylight, enhancing the venue’s versatility.
• Capacity: The stadium has seating capacity of 18,000 people.
• Spectator Comfort: The seating arrangement is designed to provide fans with an optimal experience, featuring ample legroom and unobstructed sightlines. The stadium additionally features dining sections, restrooms, and medical assistance locations to enhance the experience of watching games. It also have a parking lot & wheel chair accessible entrance too.

Renovations of Sylhet International Cricket Stadium

The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium was enlarged and renovated to accommodate for larger games for instance the 2014 ICC World Twenty20. This major renovation of the stadium began in the year 2013 and was completed by mid-November 2013. During this time of renovation, the primary pavilion structure and the media centre was been built. Along with the set up of floodlights, seating plans were altered. In fact, one of the major and notable reconstructions of the nation’s first ‘Green Gallery’.

After the 2013 renovation, the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium again went for renovation in the year 2017. This renovation was meant to enhance the stadium to meet international stadium standards. During this time an additional tier was constructed on the east side of the gallery, boosting the seating capacity of the stadium to 5000 and the green hill was also redesigned. Then as a result of this renovation, the venue accommodated the first leg of the BPL 2017 matches. 

Sylhet Cricket Stadium Weather Condition, Pitch Report & Boundary Length

The pitch of this stadium is dry with clear skies that makes its batting friendly & very challenging for bowlers especially for pacers. It has excellent pitch quality. Batsman enjoy playing here quite a lot because its also have boundaries ranges from 64 yards to 70 yards which in meters is shortest boundary 59 meters & longest boundary 64 meters.

Records & Memorable Events

The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium has seen many records and unforgettable moments. Teams and their teamwork play a key role in all of this. Let’s explore the records and other aspects. 

In Test:

• In a qualifier for the 2014 ICC World Twenty20, Ireland faced the Netherlands to secure a spot in the Super 10. Ireland batted first and scored 189-4. The Netherlands needed to win the match within 13.5 overs to advance to the Super 10s. A win within this time would make them eligible for the Super 10s. If they won the match but took longer than 13.5 overs, Zimbabwe would qualify for the Super 10s. However, an Irish victory would send Ireland through. This match set several records. 
• The Netherlands smashed the record for the fastest 100 runs in T20I reaching the milestone in just 6.6 overs. They didn’t stop there blazing to 150 runs in a mere 10.3 overs, the quickest any team has ever managed in T20I. To cap it off, the Dutch team wrapped up the game with 37 balls to spare setting another T20I record for the fastest chase of a 180-run target.
• It was in this stadium that a Bangladesh bowler Taijul Islam achieved the 10 wicket haul in the Test matches and added his name as the fourth person to achieve the record. He even holds the record for the third-best bowling figure in a test match by any Bangladeshi Bowler. 

In the opening ODI:

In one of the ODI matches Bangladesh achieved a major victory by 169 runs. This victory marked their largest winning margin in the ODIs. Mashrafe Mortaza in this march achieved his 100th victory as ODI captain. While in the second ODI, Tamim Iqbal became the first Bangladeshi batsman to reach 7000 runs in the ODIs. Then in the third ODI match Tamim and Liton Das formed a 292-run partnership which became the highest for any wicket in Bangladesh history. Liton Das then achieved a total run of 176 runs on 143 balls. This made the highest personal score by a Bangladeshi player in the ODIs. in this match, Liton hit 8 sixes hence accumulating a total of 24. 

International Centuries at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium

Test Centuries

ODI Centuries

Women T20 Centuries

Under-19 ODI Centuries

Highest and Lowest Total Score

Test

• Highest Score: 418/10 by Bangladesh against Srilanka cricket team.
• Lowest Score: 143/10 by Bangladesh against Zimbabwe cricket team.
• Average Score 1st innings: 290 runs
• Average Score 2nd innings: 216 runs

ODI

• Highest Score: 349/6 by Bangladesh against Ireland cricket team.
• Lowest Score: 101/10 by Ireland against Bangladesh cricket team.
• Average Score 1st innings: 278 runs
• Average Score 2nd innings: 191 runs

T20

• Highest Score: 210/4 by Sri Lanka against Bangladesh cricket team.
• Lowest Score: 33/10 by Malaysia Women cricket team against Sri Lanka Women cricket team.
• Average Score 1st innings: 132 runs
• Average Score 2nd innings: 107 runs

Conclusion

Overall, in this blog, we have tried to cover all the crucial details related to Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. By referring to this blog you will understand that this stadium is not only a playing ground rather it has been a symbol of pride and aspiration. For the people of Bangladesh, it is their symbol of joy and ground that holds numerous memories. In fact, the stunning backdrop of the ground makes it the favourite of all the spectators from and across Bangladesh.