Sylhet International Cricket Stadium: Bangladesh Venue Guide

Overview

The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium is in the north-eastern city of Sylhet, a region of Bangladesh known for its hills and tea gardens. Both are visible from the ground, which is one reason the venue is regarded as one of the most attractive in the country.

It is one of the principal grounds outside Dhaka and Chattogram on the Bangladesh calendar.

History and major events

The stadium opened in 2007 and soon began hosting one-day internationals. It held its first Test in 2014, when Bangladesh played Zimbabwe, and has been used for Tests since then. It was also one of the venues for the 2014 T20 World Cup, held in Bangladesh.

It hosted the 2022 Women’s Asia Cup and has been a regular host of Bangladesh Premier League games, with Sylhet franchises making it their home.

Pitch and conditions

Sylhet surfaces are widely regarded as being good for spin and for slower bowlers, with a degree of movement for seamers early in the day when there is humidity. The region is among the wettest in Bangladesh, so rain interruptions are a real possibility, particularly in the monsoon months.

Lower-scoring contests have been common, and teams tend to prefer batting first when surfaces are fresh.

Why the ground matters

As Bangladesh expanded its Test calendar beyond Dhaka, Sylhet became one of the key grounds, giving fans in the north-east access to international cricket. Capacity and facilities have changed over the years, so readers should check current information from the Bangladesh Cricket Board.