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Bangladesh cricket is set to achieve a long-awaited milestone after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) approved the construction of a world-class Excellence Centre at the Purbachal Cricket Complex, a project aimed at strengthening the country’s long-term cricket development.
The approval was granted at the BCB Board of Directors’ meeting held on Wednesday. Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, BCB President Tamim Iqbal described the project as one of the most significant decisions taken by the current board.
“We want an Excellence Centre equipped with world-class training facilities, cutting-edge technology and modern infrastructure. Once completed, it will be a major milestone for Bangladesh cricket,” Tamim said.
The board has appointed Australian architectural firm Populous, which prepared the original master plan for the Purbachal Cricket Complex, to revise the design of the project. The updated plan will incorporate modern requirements and transform the facility into a comprehensive high-performance training centre capable of meeting international standards.
Tamim said the previous design did not fully match the board’s vision for the project, prompting the decision to seek a revised blueprint. The board also discussed the settlement of $900,000 in outstanding payments owed to Populous. Further decisions on the project’s implementation will be taken after the revised design is submitted.
BCB Director and Grounds Committee Chairman Shaniyan Tanim said construction of the Excellence Centre is expected to take between two and a half and three years. He added that the final construction cost will be determined once the revised design is completed.
In addition to the Excellence Centre, the BCB is planning to build an international-standard national cricket stadium within the Purbachal complex. The proposed venue is part of Bangladesh’s preparations to co-host the 2031 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Tamim said the construction of the stadium would require government funding and confirmed that discussions with the government on financial support have already begun.
The proposed Excellence Centre is expected to provide elite training facilities for national and emerging cricketers, helping Bangladesh develop future talent while enhancing its ability to host major international cricket events. The project is also seen as a key step in modernizing the country’s cricket infrastructure and strengthening its competitiveness on the global stage.