Fatullah Cricket Stadium set to undergo major reconstruction

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is in talks of renovating the Fatullah Cricket Stadium, also known as Shaheed Ria Gope Stadium, and fixing major issues related to the ground like waterlogging at the time of rains. The accumulation of water has prevented previous series like the Tests against Australia in 2017 from being hosted at the venue.

The board president Aminul Islam Bulbul and director Nazmul Abedeen Fahim paid a visit to the ground to have a discussion with experts on what could be done. Fahim shared that simply elevating the level of the ground will not be a long-term solution, and that a proper drainage system should be fixed so that water from the surrounding areas does not accumulate in the ground.

"What we have learnt and seen is that Fatullah stadium's area is a hub where water from the surrounding area comes in. The rest of the area surrounding the ground has been elevated and the more it rains, more the area is waterlogged. So, elevating the ground is not a solution since even after elevation, waterlogging can still take place. You have to make drains so that the water that comes in can be taken outside the area of the dam there. We also have to ensure that water does not come in from the other side of the dam," stated Fahim, as quoted by The Daily Star.

Fahim noted that the BCB had already been discussing some initial designs, but had a feeling that those weren't what was fully needed. He also hoped for the ground to host matches at the business end of the season to follow after the upcoming one. 

"Today, a group of BUET engineers came and sat down with the BCB to create a process for the final design of the stadium. Already, some designs were made but I feel they weren't enough. Today, a final design process was underway and within a few days, we will get the masterplan after which work would start. Under a plan, the ground was filled with new soil before but it wasn't enough which is why it is being reviewed in a new way. After we get the design, we will have an estimation and if we can do everything and work starts on the ground, then at some point at the latter end of next season, the ground will be functional," he added.

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Speaking of Bangladesh, they are slated to play Netherlands in a three-match T20I series. The home assignment in Sylhet will be followed by the 2025 Asia Cup. They are placed in Group B alongside Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.