MA Aziz Stadium

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MA Aziz Stadium Ground information
Location Chittagong
Establishment 1977
Capacity 20,000
Owner Chittagong Division
Operator Bangladesh, Chittagong Abahani, Chittagong Mohammedan
End names
Pedrollo End
Ispahani End
International information
First Test 15 Nov - 19 Nov 2001: Bangladesh v Zimbabwe
Last Test 6 Jan - 10 Jan 2005: Bangladesh v Zimbabwe
First ODI 27 Oct 1988: Bangladesh v India
Last ODI 26 Jan 2005: Bangladesh v Zimbabwe
As of 30 June 2009
Source: MA Aziz Stadium, Cricinfo

MA Aziz Stadium (also known as Chittagong Stadium) is the main stadium in use in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The local cricket and football teams play there. Its total capacity is 20,000. On a historical note, this stadium was used as headquarters during the war for independence in 1971. Ten years later, President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated there.
[edit] History

Back in 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 in 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 in 15 November 2003 with the Test match between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

In early January 2005 at this stadium, Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe in their 35th Test, their first ever Test match victory. In the first Test of the series, Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe by 226 runs.

The stadium has stopped Cricket matches and now focuses on football in Chittagong like the national sadium of Bangladesh.