Guwahati is set to make history as the first city in the Northeast to host a Test match and a World Cup fixture, with the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) Stadium preparing to welcome India and South Africa in November, as well as key matches of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup later this year.
Confirming the development, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) general secretary Devajit Saikia announced on Sunday that the city would mark its Test debut by hosting the second match of the two-match series between India and South Africa from 22 November.
"No Test and World Cup matches have been played in Guwahati so far. But, as per the decision taken at the BCCI apex council meeting on Saturday, Guwahati will host both those matches this year," Saikia stated.
He further revealed that the ACA Stadium would also stage five to six matches of the ICC Women's ODI World Cup, making it the first World Cup event to be held in the Northeast.
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The tournament, scheduled from 24 September to 2 November, is yet to finalise its complete fixture list.
"The women's World Cup will be held from September 24 to November 2. The schedule is still being finalised. Guwahati has been selected as one of the venues for it," Saikia added.
Saikia, a former ACA general secretary, extended gratitude to International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for their role in ensuring Guwahati's inclusion as a premier cricketing venue.
The ACA Stadium, which has hosted several international white-ball matches in the past, is expected to see an infrastructural upgrade in the run-up to these high-profile fixtures.
Cricket enthusiasts in the region have welcomed the announcement, viewing it as a significant step in further popularising the sport in the Northeast.
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