Bangladesh Cricket Board engages Populous to design new 50,000-capacity stadium

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has announced that global architecture firm Populous will serve as the international consultant for the Sheikh Hasina Cricket Stadium, a planned new 50,000-capacity venue in Dhaka.

To be sited in the Purbachal district of Bangladesh’s capital city, the draft design of the Stadium, for which a budget has yet to be confirmed, has been revealed in early concept drawings as being ‘boat-shaped’.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) also advised that the venue will have “all modern” facilities, with the wider complex to feature indoor and outdoor practice areas, a swimming pool, a gym and an academy. The 48-month contract between the BCB and Populous, includes construction of the Stadium being completed within 30 months from the start of work, with Populous to keep the venue under their own supervision for 12 months after the completion of the construction work.

Populous will sign a contract with a local company in order to build the stadium.

After signing the agreement, BCB Chief Executive, Nizam Uddin Chowdhury  told the reporters “(we have) completed the first phase of construction of the Sheikh Hasina Stadium. As per the 347-page contract of the Australian company Populous, the company has been given a deadline of 48 months to complete the work."

Advising that Populous’ input will include the design, construction and maintenance of the stadium, Chowdhury added "they will work on the design for the first six months. In the next 30 months, the infrastructure of the stadium has to be built. In the final 12 months minor mistakes will be corrected."

Image shows the concept for the Sheikh Hasina Cricket Stadium. Credit: Bangladesh Cricket Board/Populous.