Free Entry for School Students at Chattogram Stadium from Day 2 of Bangladesh-Zimbabwe Test

Bangladesh’s on-field performance has been disappointing — and the scenes in the stands have been just as disheartening. Once dominant against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh now faces the reality of a shocking defeat in the first Test.

During the first Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, the galleries, usually packed with passionate fans on match days, were almost empty, with only a handful of spectators present.

The trend continued into the second Test in Chattogram. On the opening day, the stands at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (officially named after Birshreshtha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman) saw sparse attendance.

In an effort to boost crowd presence, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has taken a special initiative. In a press release today, the BCB announced that the second day of the ongoing second Test would be open for school students, free of charge.
The announcement stated:
"Starting from the second day of the Bangladesh vs. Zimbabwe second Test match, entry into the Birshreshtha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram will be free for school students."

The conditions are simple: students must wear their school uniforms and carry a valid school ID card.

Previously, ticket prices were slashed to a minimum of 50 taka, but even that failed to attract a significant audience. Hence, the board has now opted to allow free entry for students.

As for the on-field action, Bangladesh ended the first day of the second Test in a relatively comfortable position. Zimbabwe closed the day at 227 for 9, with Nick Welch and Sean Williams scoring half-centuries. Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was the star for Bangladesh, claiming a five-wicket haul.

Now, all eyes are on whether the BCB's move can revive the vibrancy in the stands. Bangladesh cricket, it seems, awaits a revival — both on the field and in the galleries.