The Tigers will play the third one-day international on May 15 and the first Test, starting on May 18, at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium against the touring Indian team.

Although the previous visit of India here in 2004 created enormous interest because of its possession of a hosts of stars, fans in the port city this time are more excited about their own stars like Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Mohammad Ashraful after Bangladesh's impressive showing during the World Cup where they stunned India by five wickets and then thrashed South Africa by 67 runs in the second round.

"Ashraful and Mashrafe played so well at the World Cup. I just want them to give us something similar here in Chittagong and we can win just like we beat them in Trinidad (on March 17)," said Shahidul, a college student.

The locals are indeed quite excited to see the Tigers in their hometown after their cakewalk victory against Scotland four months ago. Local boy Aftab Ahmed was in good touch that day in December but his form off late has meant that the people are looking at the likes of Ashraful and Mashrafe.

"But Aftab and Tamim (Iqbal) will remain in our hearts and we hope they also do well," quipped Shahid.

"People come here and ask us when the teams will arrive. I think it is more to do with the Bangladesh team's World Cup show than anything else," said pitch curator Shafiul Alam Belal, who is working round the clock to make sure the wicket offer more to the bat.

"The National League matches played here saw a lot of runs, especially off the faster bowlers. The wicket (for the one-day) will provide similar assistance to the batsmen," said Belal.

"The spinners, especially, will find the pitch working for them later in the day."

The wicket, on the western side of the ground towards the sea, is still being untouched.

Practice facilities for both sides have been revamped with the addition of the indoor venue built within the compound.

The facilities boast three synthetic turfs, much like the one in Mirpur where the first two ODIs and the second Test will be played.

The only concern for Belal was weather.

"We are not sure if there will be rain during the matches or even before. So we won't leave anything to chance as we have laid the three turfs just a few days ago," said the bespectacled Belal.

The season that is famous for violent storms hasn't lived up to its reputation but locals expect some rain within the next two weeks. But nothing should be taken for granted and if it remains as it is now, the two sides should be looking forward to a very hot summer out in the middle. But as for the ground itself, the slope is quite pronounced and a bout of rain won't hurt the outfield.

"The dressing-rooms, press box, VIP areas have all been set up, keeping in mind that there will be more in attendance this time," said Belal.