Ahead of their upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, the Caribbean squad played its two-day preparation fixture at the venue, marking the first time a Test-playing nation has competed at the newly built stadium. Players, coaches, and board officials expressed satisfaction with the ground's outfield, pitch quality, and modern facilities.
On the opening day, the BCB XI displayed strong batting performances, posting 371 for 7 in 90 overs. Opening batter Kalam Siddiki Olin scored a century (135 off 184 balls with 20 fours and a six), supported by half-centuries from Zeeshan Alam (86) and Chowdhury Mohammad Rizwan (59). Following the day's play, Kalam praised the pitch, noting balanced conditions that offered assistance to spin and pace bowlers while remaining conducive to strokeplay.
Former Bangladesh national captain and former BCB Chief Selector Habibul Bashar attended the match and lauded the pitch quality, describing the wicket as well-prepared and fully suited for international cricket standards.
While this marks the first appearance by a Test-playing nation at the venue, the Anvir Cricket Stadium previously hosted a three-match ODI series featuring ICC Associate nation Malaysia in August, alongside several domestic fixtures of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL).
Detailing ongoing infrastructure upgrades, Imrul Hasan, Director of ABG Sports City, confirmed that floodlight installations and gallery construction are complete as part of broader plans to establish the venue as an international-grade sports complex. He noted that the multi-sport hub already houses facilities for basketball, squash, padel tennis, futsal, and swimming, having previously hosted international boxing and squash events.
Hasan added that future expansion plans include international-standard shooting ranges, with the core objective of building a comprehensive sports hub to foster youth engagement and talent development for national representation.
