The picturesque Sylhet International Cricket Stadium is all set to introduce itself as the eighth Test venue of the country as host Bangladesh lock horns with Zimbabwe in the first of the two-match series Saturday.
Located next to the Lakkatura tea state and situated on the airport road, the SICS is undoubtedly the most scenic among all the stadiums in Bangladesh.
Renovation work was in full flow in the venue to mark the historic day.
The entrance reception into the stadium for the VIPs and the teams has been highlighted with memorabilia of Bangladesh cricket and a photo gallery of Sylheti cricketers who have represented Bangladesh thus far.
BCB director and general secretary of Sylhet Divisional Sports Association, Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel informed the media that a special coin has been arranged for the toss to mark the venue’s maiden Test.
A bell positioned at the SICS Dhaka Tribune/Md Manik
The BCB first laid its eyes on the stadium in 2007 and back then, it was basically just a round stadium with pavilions and stands which had been built in the middle of the Lakkatura tea garden.
Within a span of a year, the SICS was developed enough to host its first four-day match.
In 2012, the venue hosted two England Lions one-day games.
The venue however, got the biggest development boost ahead of the 2014 World T20I.
Twelve months of refurbishment work ahead of the ICC event saw major changes in the venue, including the introduction of the country’s first green gallery.
The lush outfield at the SICS Dhaka Tribune/Md Manik
In the 2014 World T20I, SICS hosted a total of 18 men's and women's matches.
This year in February, Bangladesh played their first international here when they faced Sri Lanka in a T20I.
With a capacity of 18,000, the venue’s floodlights have been upgraded to match the state-of-the-art facilities in the stadia.
The updated drainage system is capable of preparing the ground for play within 30 minutes following rainfall.
The SICS has a total of seven pitches at the centre, and four practice wickets.