Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium is a T20I cricket venue in Khulna, Bangladesh, with a capacity of 15,600 spectators. The ground hosted its first T20 match in 2006, establishing it as a long-standing fixture for limited-overs cricket in the region.

Also known as the Khulna Divisional Stadium, the venue serves as a key host for international T20 fixtures. Its record book reflects the evolving standards of the T20I format since the mid-2000s.

Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium. Photo: Press Information Department / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain

Overview

Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, also known as the Khulna Divisional Stadium, is a prominent cricket venue located in Khulna, Bangladesh. The ground serves as a key host for international fixtures, including Test matches and Twenty20 Internationals (T20I). It has established itself as a significant stop for touring teams and domestic franchises within the Bangladeshi cricketing calendar.

The stadium has a seating capacity of 15,600 spectators. It was originally constructed as one of five purpose-built grounds for the 2004 Under-19 World Cup, marking its entry onto the international stage. The venue officially opened in 2004, providing a modern facility for the city of Khulna. Since its inception, it has hosted numerous high-profile matches, contributing to the growth of cricket infrastructure in the southern region of Bangladesh.

In the context of T20 Internationals, the stadium hosted its first T20 match in 2006. This early adoption of the shortest format highlights the venue's versatility and its role in the evolution of T20 cricket in Bangladesh. The ground continues to be a regular fixture for T20I series, offering a distinct pitch profile that influences match outcomes for batting and bowling units alike.

Venue Profile

The Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, located in Khulna, Bangladesh, serves as a prominent venue for international cricket, including T20I matches. The ground has a documented capacity of 15,600 spectators. Historical records indicate that the stadium hosted its first T20 match in 2006. The venue is also known by its former name, the Bir Shrestha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Stadium, and was previously referred to as the Khulna Divisional Stadium. It gained ODI status in 2006 and achieved Test status in 2012. The stadium's dimensions are recorded as 183 meters by 137 meters. It has also served as the home ground for the Khulna Titans franchise in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

T20I Match History and Records

Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna, Bangladesh, has hosted international T20 cricket since 2006. The venue has a capacity of 15,600 spectators. The first T20I match at the stadium was played on 28 November 2006, featuring Bangladesh against Zimbabwe. As of 8 October 2018, the stadium had hosted a total of 5 T20I matches.

Statistical records for T20I matches at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium include the following team and individual performances:

These records reflect the performance data available for T20I matches held at the venue. The highest team total of 189/3 was achieved by Scotland in their match against Hong Kong in January 2017. The lowest team total of 66/9 was recorded by Nigeria in their encounter with Ireland in October 2019. Shaiman Anwar holds the record for the highest individual score at the venue with 117 runs, scored in April 2017. Rohan Mustafa recorded the best bowling figures with 6 wickets for 18 runs in October 2019.

What are the notable records at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium?

Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, located in Khulna, Bangladesh, is a cricket venue with a capacity of 15,600. The ground hosted its first T20 match in 2006. While the provided details regarding Test and ODI records at the venue, the specific T20I statistics for this section are not fully detailed in the provided grounding data.

The available source material highlights several notable achievements in other formats at this venue. Abul Hasan scored a century on his Test debut, scoring 100 off 113 balls. Shakib Al Hasan delivered an all-round performance in the 2nd Test, contributing 137 runs and taking 10 wickets for 124 runs. Additionally, Tamim Iqbal recorded a double century in the 3rd Test. Bangladesh also holds an ODI record at the venue with 4 wins in 4 matches.

For the T20I competition specifically, the provided data confirms the first match year as 2006 but does not list specific player records, highest team totals, or head-to-head matchups for this format. Therefore, specific T20I statistical records such as highest individual scores or best bowling figures are not captured in the available data for this section.

Other Formats and BPL History

Khulna Divisional Stadium, also known as Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, is a cricket venue located in Khulna, Bangladesh. While the ground is primarily recognized for hosting Twenty20 International (T20I) matches, it has a documented history in other formats of the game. The stadium has hosted three Test matches and four One Day Internationals (ODIs) up to the year 2018. These fixtures establish the venue's versatility beyond the shortest format, accommodating longer durations of play for national teams.

The venue also features prominently in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the country's premier franchise-based T20 tournament. Historical records indicate that the stadium was utilized during the 2013 BPL season. Specifically, eight matches were played at the venue between 22 and 25 January 2013. During this period, the Khulna Royal Bengals served as the home franchise for these fixtures. This concentration of matches over a four-day span highlights the stadium's capacity to handle high-volume scheduling during the league phase of the tournament.

The stadium has a recorded capacity of 15,600 spectators. This figure provides context for the scale of attendance and infrastructure available for both international and domestic fixtures. The first T20 match at the venue took place in 2006, marking the beginning of its tenure as a host for the shortest format of the game. This early adoption of T20 cricket aligns with the global expansion of the format during the mid-2000s, positioning Khulna as an early adopter among Bangladeshi venues.

Available data does not capture the highest individual score or the best bowling figures at this venue across the T20I competition. Similarly, specific details regarding the highest team total or the lowest team total in T20Is at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium are not provided in the current dataset. For records related to Test and ODI formats, the available information is limited to the count of matches hosted (three Tests and four ODIs) up to 2018, without specific scorelines or player statistics. The focus of the available statistical record remains on the venue's operational history and match counts rather than individual performance metrics.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capacity of Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium?

The stadium has a seating capacity of 15,600.

When was the first T20 match played at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium?

The first T20 match at the venue took place in 2006.

Where is Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium located?

The stadium is located in Khulna, Bangladesh.

What is the primary league or format associated with this venue?

The venue is primarily associated with T20I matches.

Is Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium also known by another name?

Yes, it is also referred to as the Khulna Divisional Stadium.

See also