Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, boasts two significant cricket stadiums that have hosted a surprising number of One Day Internationals (ODIs) over the years, surpassing even the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London. The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium and the Bangabandhu National Stadium are central to Bangladesh's cricketing history and have seen more ODIs than their venered British counterpart.
The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, often referred to as Mirpur Stadium, is located in the Mirpur district of Dhaka. Since its inauguration in 2006, it has rapidly become the go-to venue for major international cricket fixtures in Bangladesh, including ODIs. Its modern facilities, coupled with a high seating capacity, make it ideal for accommodating large crowds and crucial matches. Particularly noted for its lively atmosphere, it provides a distinctive home advantage to the Bangladesh national cricket team.
On the other hand, the Bangabandhu National Stadium, named after the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, holds its own unique place in Bangladesh's sports history. Originally constructed as a multi-purpose stadium, it hosted many international cricket matches before the inauguration of Mirpur Stadium. Over the years, it has transitioned more towards hosting football matches but remains an iconic venue in Bangladesh’s sporting landscape.
Both stadiums have witnessed numerous memorable cricketing events, contributing to their high number of ODI matches. They have been preferred locations for various international cricket tournaments, including the World Cup matches when Bangladesh co-hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011. This global event alone added significantly to their ODI tally.
Meanwhile, Lord's, known as the "Home of Cricket," has not hosted as many ODIs. Although it is a venue steeped in history and tradition, the cricketing calendar at Lord's is divided among various formats of the game, including Test cricket, which reduces the number of ODIs it can accommodate each year. Lord's does indeed host important ODI matches, including World Cup finals, but its overall count does not match that of the stadiums in Dhaka.
This comparison highlights the evolving landscape of international cricket, where newer venues like those in Dhaka are becoming just as central to the sport's global narrative as the traditional bastions like Lord's. It also underscores the rising prominence of cricket in Bangladesh and the increasing ability of its stadiums to host international fixtures, marking a significant shift in the geographies of the sport.
