The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) appears to be moving towards a smaller group of preferred venues for Test cricket, even though no official decision has been made on designated Test centres yet.
Dhaka and Sylhet are gaining importance because Bangladesh have produced some of their most useful Test results at these venues. At the same time, Chattogram has become a concern because of the team’s poor record and the number of drawn matches played there.
The issue has become more important because every home Test now carries huge value in the World Test Championship (WTC). Bangladesh are currently fourth in the WTC standings and still have four home Tests against the West Indies and England in this cycle.
Dhaka and Sylhet Emerging as Preferred Venues
Dhaka has long been one of Bangladesh’s main Test venues, and the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur continues to give the team a familiar setting.
The value of Mirpur was clear during Bangladesh’s first Test against Pakistan in May. The hosts won by 104 runs after defending 268, with fast bowler Nahid Rana taking five wickets in the second innings. The result gave Bangladesh their first home Test win over Pakistan.
Sylhet has also developed a strong reputation in recent years. Bangladesh defeated New Zealand by 150 runs there in December 2023, with Taijul Islam taking 10 wickets in the match. It was Bangladesh’s first home Test victory over New Zealand.
The venue produced another major result in May 2026 when Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 78 runs in the second Test. Taijul again played a key role, taking six wickets in Pakistan’s second innings as Bangladesh completed a 2-0 series sweep.
Bangladesh have played six Tests in Sylhet, winning three and losing three. More importantly for the BCB, two of those wins have delivered valuable WTC results against New Zealand and Pakistan.
Why Chattogram Has Become a Problem
The situation is different in Chattogram.
Bangladesh have played 26 Tests at the venue, winning only three and losing 16. Seven matches have ended in draws. The flat nature of the surface has often made it difficult for bowlers to force a result.
For a team chasing WTC points, that record is difficult to ignore.
A drawn Test is not necessarily a failure, but repeated draws or defeats at a particular venue can make the home advantage less useful. Chattogram has also produced some extremely high-scoring matches. In 2024, Sri Lanka scored 531 in a Test there without a single batter making a century, showing just how friendly the surface could be for batting.
The venue has also produced painful memories for Bangladesh. In 2021, West Indies successfully chased 395 in Chattogram, despite the pitch offering some assistance to the spinners late in the match.
BCB Wants a Better Pace-Spin Balance
The concern is not simply about winning at home. Bangladesh’s team management also wants surfaces that bring both pace and spin into the game.
That approach could become important in the upcoming Test series against the West Indies. The two-match WTC series will begin in Mirpur on October 28, with the second Test scheduled in Sylhet from November 5.
The choice of venues itself is interesting. The BCB has already selected Dhaka and Sylhet for the West Indies series, giving both grounds another opportunity to host important WTC matches.
Bangladesh’s recent results also show why the board may prefer conditions where its bowling attack can play a bigger role. The team completed a 2-0 home series win over Pakistan in May before beating Australia by nine wickets in Darwin in August. Bangladesh eventually drew that Australia series 1-1 after losing the second Test in Mackay.
England Tests Could Strengthen the Trend
The debate is likely to continue when England visit Bangladesh in February 2027.
According to The Daily Star, the BCB is considering Sylhet as a possible venue for one of the two Tests against England instead of Chattogram. However, a BCB official made it clear that Sylhet was only a likely option and had not been officially confirmed at the time of the report.
That distinction is important. Bangladesh has not formally announced a system of designated Test centres.
Still, the direction is becoming easier to see. If Mirpur and Sylhet continue to host most of the important home Tests, the board could gradually create a de facto system without formally labelling the grounds as permanent Test centres.
