[CRK]
Work Must Begin Now: Tamim Iqbal Insists on Urgent Progress for Purbachal NCG
The National Cricket Ground (NCG) in Purbachal has remained a vision more than a reality for far too long. Despite years of discussion and planning, physical progress on the stadium site has been minimal. Now, with Bangladesh set to co-host the 2031 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup alongside India, the pressure is mounting to turn promises into action—and none more so than from Tamim Iqbal.
Leadership Makes Site Visit
Tamim, currently serving as president of the BCB’s ad-hoc committee, joined State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque and other key officials for a firsthand inspection of the Purbachal site on April 18. The visit was more than symbolic—it was a clear signal that delays must end.
Speaking to journalists on-site, Tamim struck a direct and urgent tone. “The most important thing right now is to actually begin the work,” he emphasized. “We’ve been talking about it for a long time, but haven’t started yet. Now we’ve received clear instructions from the minister, and we need to move forward quickly.”
2031 World Cup Looms Large
The 2031 ICC ODI World Cup is a monumental milestone for Bangladesh cricket. As co-hosts, the country is expected to have world-class infrastructure—and the Purbachal NCG is central to those plans. The stadium is envisioned as a modern, fully equipped venue that can host major international matches.
Before 2031, Bangladesh will also host two significant tournaments: the 2027 Asia Cup and the 2027 ICC Women’s Under-19 World Cup. These events serve as critical dress rehearsals for larger hosting duties and underscore the need for timely stadium development.
Government and BCB Align on Strategy
State Minister Aminul Haque echoed Tamim’s sentiment, stressing coordination between the government and the cricket board. “We have the Asia Cup in 2027 and we are co-hosting the ODI World Cup in 2031,” he noted. “Keeping those in mind, we are planning for the cricket board to take the lead initially. The government will also support as needed. We want to move forward in a proper, planned way. There shouldn’t be any more delays or unnecessary drama around this project.”
Cost Concerns and Design Updates
Rumors of an 800 million taka price tag for the project have circulated, but Tamim dismissed the figure as inaccurate. More importantly, he confirmed that the BCB presented the full stadium design to the minister during the visit. While minor revisions may be made, Tamim stressed that changes will be focused only on areas that truly matter—ensuring progress without endless redesigns.
The message from both the BCB and the government is clear: the time for talk is over, and construction must begin now.
A Stadium Long Overdue
For years, cricket fans have waited for a new international-grade stadium near Dhaka. The Purbachal NCG promises to ease the burden on the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium and provide modern facilities for players and spectators alike.
With less than seven years until the 2031 World Cup, and major tournaments even sooner, the BCB and relevant authorities have little room for error. The April 18 site visit may mark a turning point—if action follows intent.
As Tamim Iqbal put it: “We’ve waited long enough. Now, let’s build.”
