The wicket and outfield of Bogra’s Shahid Chandu Stadium are the best choice for cricketers. Not only Bangladeshis, but also world-renowned cricket stars have praised the wicket of this stadium. Famous stars like world-shaking Sri Lankan stars Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara have played on this field. World-class cricketers like Clive Lloyd and Wasim Akram have touched the green grass of this field. They have showered the groundsmen with praise. Even though there has been no international match for a long time, Shahid Chandu Stadium is still the best choice for cricketers. The country’s best stars like Taskin and Rishad, who came to play in the recently concluded BCL, highly praised the wicket and outfield of Shahid Chandu Stadium.

Despite BCB’s neglect for almost a decade and a half, no one has raised any questions about the wicket and outfield of this stadium. Cricketers still consider the wicket of Shahid Chandu Stadium as one of the best in the country. However, there is no curator or assistant curator for the maintenance of the wicket of this stadium. Although these two posts have been vacant for a long time, the BCB has not appointed anyone. As a result, the entire field is run by groundsmen.

It is reported that after the construction of the stadium in 2003, 5 center wickets and 4 practice wickets were built at Shahid Chandu Stadium under the direct supervision of the then National Curator Sri Lankan Nandasena. The groundsmen built the wickets under the leadership of BCB’s Assistant Curator Arif and National Sports Council’s Assistant Curator Mintu. Later, the Under-19 World Cup was held in this stadium in 2004. Since then, the activities have continued without a curator and assistant curator. In 2007, Humayun Kabir was promoted to assistant curator and took care of the wickets. When Humayun Kabir was relieved of his duties on February 16, 2025, the stadium is without an assistant curator.

Currently, Head Groundsman Anarul Islam is responsible for the overall maintenance of the stadium. Head Groundsman Anarul Islam has been on duty since the construction of the stadium. The BCB uses Anarul to build wickets in various stadiums in the northern region, in addition to Shahid Chandu Stadium. Due to his sincerity and efficiency towards work, the BCB is using him as an assistant curator. Anarul has gained full experience of a curator as he has been associated with wicket maintenance for a long time. But he is also frustrated because he has not been promoted for a long time. Currently, he is maintaining the wickets of Shahid Chandu Stadium like a skilled curator. The BCBO has also placed its trust in him.

In this regard, Syed Abdul Baten, Senior National Manager of the Grounds and Facilities Department of the BCB, told Khel Poka that Anarul is performing his duties as the head groundsman efficiently. In the absence of the curator and assistant curator, he is working diligently to maintain the wicket and outfield. He expressed hope that a person will be appointed to the vacant post of assistant curator soon.

Cricket-related people feel that it is very important to appoint a competent assistant curator along with the demand for the renovation of the Shahid Chandu Stadium, which has been neglected for a long time due to political vendetta and to regain the status of an international venue. They want the BCB to pay attention to the Shahid Chandu Stadium within a short time.