M. A. Aziz Stadium
The MA Aziz Stadium (Bengali: এম এ আজিজ স্টেডিয়াম; also known as Chittagong Stadium) is a multi-purpose stadium in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The local cricket and football teams play there and it is sometimes used by the national football team of Bangladesh.[1] Its total capacity is 40,000.[2] On a historical note, this stadium was used as headquarters during the war for independence in 1971. The main cricket venue of the port city has been shifted to the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
| Ground information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Chittagong |
| Establishment | 1977 |
| Capacity | 40,000 |
| Owner | Chittagong Division |
| Operator | Bangladesh, Chittagong Abahani, Chittagong Mohammedan |
| Tenants | Chittagong Mohammedan (Football) Chittagong Abahani (Football) Chittagong Kings (Cricket) |
| End names | |
| Pedrollo End Ispahani End | |
| International information | |
| First Test | 15–19 November 2001:  |
| Last Test | 6–10 January 2005: |
| First ODI | 27 October 1988: |
| Last ODI | 26 January 2005: |
| As of 9 December 2012 Source: M. A. Aziz Stadium, Cricinfo | |
History
On 1 January 1955 Indian team led by Vinoo Mankad came to play in the newly built stadium. Their opponents were East Pakistan Sports Federation. Then the stadium was called Niaz Stadium, after the name of District Administrator of that time who helped to build it. Then the name of the mountain covered aria was Jongli Polton. Later it was changed. After the Mankad's team the stadium welcomed Donald Carr of MCC. MCC also came once more after the war of liberation. In 1976–77 the name of the stadium was changed to Chattagram Jilla Krira Porishod (Chittagong District Sports Organization) stadium. It was under the PG of that district.
The stadium became the centre of Chittagong's sports over the years. In 1957–58 Chittagong Commerce College met Jogonnath College at the final of the Inter College Cricket. Chittagong team was runners up. At the outer part of the stadium Star Jubo and Star Summer tournaments were also held. East Bengal also came to play. In the 1980s cricket started to be influenced by Asgar, Abedin and Ispahani family. Many of the National Team cricketers like Minhajul Abedin, Akram Khan and Nurul Abedin started their careers here. Later tournaments like Star Jubo and Star Summer had stopped.
The first One Day International (ODI) took place back on 27 October 1988 during the Wills Asia Cup. Bangladesh's opponent was India and Pakistan in those two matches. Bangladesh lost the matches by 9 wickets and 173 runs respectively. Bangladesh played 7 Tests and 8 ODIs so far at this ground. The stadium made a debut as the 82nd test venue on 15 November 2001 with the Test match between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
Stats and records
The venue has hosted
- Test Matches - 8
- One Day International - 10
- T20I - 0
- The venue hosted 1st ever International ODI match in Bangladesh in 1988. The match was between Bangladesh vs India.
- The venue became only 2nd test venue in Bangladesh in 2005. The first being Bangabandhu National Stadium.
- In January 2005, when Zimbabwe national cricket team toured to Bangladesh, In the first test Bangladesh won their first ever test match in their 35 test match at this venue. Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe by 226 runs.
BPL 2013
After a long time the M. A. Aziz Stadium hosted cricket matches of the second edition of Bangladesh Premier League, along with Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka and Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna. Home team Chittagong Kings played 4 matches here.[3] 10 matches were played from 25 January to 2 February 2013.[4]
Chittagong Kings 172/6 (20 overs) |
v |
Sylhet Royals 176/7 (19.3 overs) |
- Sylhet Royals won the toss and elected to field
Duronto Rajshahi 213/6 (20 overs) |
v |
Barisal Burners 209/7 (20 overs) |
- Duronto Rajshahi won the toss and elected to bat
Dhaka Gladiators 158/5 (20 overs) |
v |
Sylhet Royals 127/8 (20 overs) |
Darren Stevens 55* (35) Mominul Haque 1/18 (2 overs) |
- Sylhet Royals won the toss and elected to field
 122 (20 overs) |
v |
Khulna Royal Bengals 89 (18.4 overs) |
- Rangpur Riders won the toss and elected to bat
Sylhet Royals 126 (19.3 overs) |
v |
122 (19.3 overs) |
- Sylhet Royals won the toss and elected to field
Barisal Burners 182/5 (20 overs) |
v |
Chittagong Kings 176/6 (20 overs) |
- Barisal Burners won the toss and elected to bat
Dhaka Gladiators 137/5 (20 overs) |
v |
Duronto Rajshahi 124/9 (20 overs) |
- Dhaka Gladiators won the toss and elected to bat
Chittagong Kings 137/2 (18 overs) |
v |
Khulna Royal Bengals 136/5 (20 overs) |
Brendan Taylor 69 (49) Sanjamul Islam 1/26 (4 overs) |
Riki Wessels 35 (32) Enamul Haque Jr. 3/28 (4 overs) |
- Chittagong Kings won the toss and elected to field
Barisal Burners 152/6 (20 overs) |
v |
Duronto Rajshahi 153/6 (19.4 overs) |
- Barisal Burners won the toss and elected to bat
Dhaka Gladiators 88/8 (20 overs) |
v |
Chittagong Kings 142 (20 overs) |
- Dhaka Gladiators won the toss and elected to field
See also
- Stadiums in Bangladesh
- List of international cricket grounds in Bangladesh
- List of international cricket centuries at M. A. Aziz Stadium
References
- "Bangladesh national football team statistics and records: attendances". 11v11.com. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
- "A full house watches BPL matches in Chittagong". The Independent. Dhaka. 29 January 2013. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013.
- "BPL 2013 to kick off on January 17". ESPNcricinfo. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
- "BPL Fixtures and schedule". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 January 2013.