Big league cricket could be coming back to Barishal, and it might just be the thing that finally gets the Divisional Stadium over the finish line.
The ground, which once saw youth internationals and first-class matches, has been largely abandoned for years, with a 2021 renovation plan stalling out due to endless delays. But the buzz around it becoming a potential BPL venue has changed everything, injecting fresh energy and hope into finishing the long-overdue project.
Local fans are excited. If matches are held in Barishal, it would give Fortune Barishal a rare chance to play on home turf.
“This could change everything,” said team owner Mizanur Rahman. “If 50,000 people get in, there will be another half a million outside. I’m sure of it. People here love cricket — it’s part of their lives.”
Rahman believes hosting just a few matches could make the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) profitable despite the production costs.
“The energy we saw last time proves how much support this team has. If fans finally get to see their team at home, it’ll be special,” he added.
Work at the venue is visible. New seats are being installed. Some parts of the infrastructure were reportedly dismantled and reassembled to meet updated standards.
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“If the National Sports Council pushes hard, this could be ready before December,” Rahman said. “The field is the main thing left. If we focus, we can finish in time.”
Officials from the National Sports Council echoed that timeline. They said efforts are moving quickly and the field could be playable by year’s end.
The long-term plan goes beyond the BPL.
Once the renovation is complete, Barishal could host regular domestic tournaments and possibly international matches again.
For now, locals are waiting. After years of being left out of the national cricket conversation, a few home matches could mean a lot. Not just for the team. But for the whole region.
