The “five-minute bell” will be the biggest attraction of the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, all set to make its Test debut when host Bangladesh take on Zimbabwe in the first of the two-match series Saturday.
The five-minute bell was first introduced at Lord’s Cricket Ground in England in 2007 as the latest tradition of the game.
The bell is rung to signify the imminent start of play, and it has become a great honour to be invited to ring it on the morning of a Test match.
The picturesque Sylhet International Cricket Stadium is all set to introduce itself as the eighth Test venue of the country as host @BCBtigers lock horns with @ZimCricketv in the first of the two-match series Saturday.https://t.co/ukBzbImHwm#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #ZC #CRICKET
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) November 2, 2018
Later in 2016, Kolkata’s Eden Gardens introduced the bell with India's first World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev doing the honour of ringing it.
When the SICS starts its journey as the eighth Test venue of the country, the bell will be rung to get the game going.
The scenic location of SICS has already bagged enough praise from around the cricketing world, and the bell is adding to its significance.
The entrance reception into the stadium for the VIPs and the teams has been highlighted with a photo gallery of Sylheti cricketers who have represented Bangladesh thus far Dhaka Tribune/Minhaz Uddin Khan
Manufactured in Dhaka, the bell has already been placed in front of the Grand Stand and the players’ dressing room.
BCB director and general secretary of Sylhet Divisional Sports Association, Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel informed the media that they have made different arrangements to mark the first Test at SICS, and that the five-minute bell is a major part of it.
The toss will take place with a special coin while players and management of the two teams will be gifted with memorabilia. The Test cricketers hailing from Sylhet will also be accorded special honour. Moreover, a special publication will mark the historic day at SICS.
