Faruk Ahmed Impressed by Anvir Cricket Stadium, Sees New Possibilities

Former national captain and former BCB president Faruk Ahmed is optimistic about the improvement of Bangladesh's cricket infrastructure and facilities. He is especially pleased that a modern ground like the Anvir Cricket Stadium has been built through private initiative.

He believes this initiative by ABG (Anvir Bashundhara Group) will inspire other capable individuals and organisations to come forward for cricket infrastructure development. In his view, even if two or three good cricketers emerge from such a ground, that would be a big achievement.

The first edition of the ABG University Cup is under way at this ABG Sports City stadium. On Wednesday, Faruk Ahmed attended the tournament's first semi-final, between ULAB and Far East University, as chief guest. He praised the organisers for giving university-level cricketers the chance to play at a ground with such modern facilities.

Comparing the facilities of today with those when he started playing cricket, Faruk said his heart fills with joy, because when they began playing there were hardly any facilities at all. Judged from that point, the change in infrastructure and facilities is a very big matter, and a ground like this built through private initiative was once unimaginable, he said.

The former BCB president believes ABG Group's initiative will inspire others too. In his view, for the development of the country's cricket, private organisations and capable individuals should also come forward instead of relying only on the cricket board.

Faruk said he is certain this will delight and inspire not only him but many others. ABG has made the start, and following them, many more people who love cricket and have the means to do such work will come forward. The return on this investment will ultimately go to the country, he said, adding that if even two or three cricketers emerge after practising here that would be a big achievement, and if 10 are produced it would be an even bigger success.

Faruk also praised the floodlight system at the Anvir Cricket Stadium. In his view, night cricket has its own separate joy, and it also creates the opportunity to play while avoiding the intense daytime heat. Working people can also come to the ground after work to watch matches, which will increase cricket's audience and popularity.

On this point he said playing under floodlights does not mean something entirely extra will be gained, but the joy of night cricket is different. The daytime heat is intense and it eases somewhat at night, and people can finish work and come to the ground to watch. All in all, it is a good initiative, he said.

Faruk also considers such events important for spreading cricket at university level. In his view, even if players are not produced directly from such competitions, they will play a role in increasing cricket's popularity.

He said university-level events may not produce players directly, but the game becoming more popular is also important. On Wednesday ULAB played the semi-final and reached the final, and they have their own university ground. For many universities in Dhaka, having their own ground is a luxury and may not even be possible, but those who have the opportunity and means would do very well to build such grounds even on a small scale, he said.

Faruk Ahmed was also impressed by the overall organisation of the ABG University Cup. Students from different universities across the country are getting the chance to play competitive cricket at this ground with modern facilities. In his view, such an event is not limited to staging a competition; it will also play a role in expanding cricket and increasing its popularity at university level.