M.A. Aziz Stadium, Chittagong
| Ground information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Chittagong |
| Establishment | 1977 |
| Capacity | 30,000 |
| Owner | Chittagong Division |
| Operator | Bangladesh, Chittagong Abahani, Chittagong Mohammedan |
| Tenants |
Chittagong Mohammedan (Football) Chittagong Abahani (Football) Chittagong Kings (Cricket) |
| End names | |
| Pedrollo End Ispahani End |
|
| International information | |
| First Test | 15 – 19 Nov 2001: Bangladesh v  Zimbabwe |
| Last Test | 6 – 10 Jan 2005: Bangladesh v Zimbabwe |
| First ODI | 27 Oct 1988: Bangladesh v  India |
| Last ODI | 26 Jan 2005: Bangladesh v Zimbabwe |
| As of 9 December 2012 Source: M. A. Aziz Stadium, Cricinfo |
|
The MA Aziz Stadium (Bengali: এম এ আজিজ স্টেডিয়াম; also known as Chittagong Stadium) is a multi-purpose stadium in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The local cricket and football teams play there and it is sometimes used by the national football team of Bangladesh. Its total capacity is 30,000. On a historical note, this stadium was used as headquarters during the war for independence in 1971. The main cricket venue of the port city has been shifted to the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
Back on 1 January 1955 Indian team led by Vinoo Mankad came to play in the newly built stadium. Their opponents were East Pakistan Sports Federation. Then the Stadium was called Niaz Stadium, after the name of District Administrator of that time who helped to build it. Then the name of the mountain covered aria was Jongli Polton. Later it was changed. After the Mankad’s team the stadium welcomed Donald Carr of MCC. MCC also came once more after the war of liberation. In 1976–77 the name of the stadium was changed to Chattagram Jilla Krira Porishod (Chittagong District Sports Organization) stadium. It was under the PG of that district.
The stadium became the centre of Chittagong's sports over the years. In 1957–58 Chittagong Commerce College met Jogonnath College at the final of the Inter College Cricket. Chittagong team was runners up. At the outer part of the stadium Star Jubo and Star Summer tournaments were also held. East Bengal also came to play. In the 1980s cricket started to be influenced by Asgar, Abedin and Ispahani family. Many of the National Team cricketers like Minhajul Abedin, Akram Khan and Nurul Abedin started their careers here. Later tournaments like Star Jubo and Star Summer had stopped.
The first One Day International took place back on 27 October 1988 during the Wills Asia Cup. Bangladesh’s opponent was India and Pakistan in those two matches. Bangladesh lost the matches by 9 wickets and 173 runs respectively. Bangladesh played 7 Tests and 8 ODIs so far at this ground. The stadium made a debut as the 82nd test venue on 15 November 2001 with the Test match between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
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