While the Prime Bank School Cricket tournament was underway across the country, the cricket fraternity in Sylhet was forced to wait for Wednesday’s conclusion of the Bangladesh-Pakistan Test, with the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium (SICS) fully occupied for international duty.
Local organisers found themselves without a venue as both the main and outer grounds of the complex remained unavailable for domestic fixtures.
The Sylhet District Stadium, historically the region’s alternative venue, was meanwhile hosting the ‘Notun Kuri’ sports carnival. Traditionally, the ground has accommodated cricket, football and hockey. The SICS, however, remains under the direct jurisdiction of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and is used year-round for national camps.
The situation intensified due to a looming National Sports Council (NSC) directive threatening to reserve the district stadium exclusively for football. Last March, the NSC decided to lease eight district stadiums for 25 years, and in May, this was revised to a 22-year lease for three stadiums, including Sylhet.
The move sparked concern within local cricket circles, as the district stadium remains the only viable option for domestic competition.
Facing an unprecedented crisis, local organisers submitted two memorandums in protest and approached local lawmaker and finance minister Khondoker Abdul Muktadir, seeking a political resolution. Imtiaz Hossain Tanna, president of the Sylhet District Cricket Association, expressed his frustration.
“We tried to sit with the finance minister, but he has been unable to manage the time yet,” Tanna told The Daily Star. He stressed that without the district stadium, the regional talent pipeline -- having produced players like Rajin Saleh, Tapash Baisya and Alok Kapali -- would dry up.
“We managed to complete the First Division League with great difficulty, but more than half of our Second Division matches are still pending. It is virtually impossible to imagine cricket in Sylhet without this ground.”
Stakeholders argued for a return to a cooperative sharing model. Tanna said that even if alternative venues were planned, they would take “three to four years” and demanded access to the field for at least four months annually until then.
Former cricketer Rana Miah said cricket required only “92 days”, while the ground remained unused for much of the year. According to Rana, the local mayor had assured them that a solution would be found.
While acknowledging cricket’s importance, ex-national footballer Shahajuddin Tipu urged flexibility to avoid polarising the sporting community. “While Sylhet has both a main and an outer stadium for cricket, there are no dedicated football stadiums anywhere in Bangladesh… but for the greater interest of both sports in Sylhet, I support whatever compromise the government deems fair.
“The pipeline for football, cricket and badminton is still actively producing talent from Sylhet, and we all have a right to request better considerations.”
Rubel Nannu, president of the Sylhet Players’ Welfare Association, remained critical of the exclusive lease process. “Before handing this over solely to football, they should have prepared alternative venues first. A stadium needs to serve the entire community,” he said.
Despite the uncertainty persisting, local organisers remain hopeful of a resolution that can ease pressure on local leagues and preserve Sylhet’s broader sporting ecosystem.
