[7] India were the visitors on both occasions: in 1954–55, when Dacca was the capital of East Pakistan, and in 1976–77, when the first unofficial Test match was held between Bangladesh against the touring MCC from England.

[8] The stadium regularly hosted the now defunct Aga Khan Gold Cup, which by many is considered to be first organised international competition that involved club teams around Asia.

[12] With a purpose-built cricket stadium being constructed on the outskirts of the city, the ground was taken out of commission at the end of the 2004–05 season, and handed over for the sole use of the Bangladesh national football team.

In March 2005, the Bangladesh Football Federation organised the Independence Day Gold Cup to mark its permanent possession of the stadium.

[14] On 6 September 2011, the stadium hosted an international friendly football match between the full-strength Argentina and Nigeria teams, featuring Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, Javier Mascherano and Mikel John Obi among the other star players of both nations.

The friendlies helped football return to the stadium and the country after a long absence due to the rise of COVID-19 cases worldwide.

[20] The stadium underwent its initial renovation in preparation for the 1978 AFC Youth Championship, the country's first major international tournament hosting.

[10] The stadium hosted the opening ceremony of the 2011 Cricket World Cup co-hosted by Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India on 17 February 2011.

[21] The renovation includes field development, construction of sheds in galleries, installation of chairs in galleries, modernization of toilets for international and local players, installation of floodlights, CCTV cameras, generators, LED giant screens, new athletic tracks, digital advertising boards, media centers, ticket counters, Dope Test Room Building, Medical Room, VIP Box Construction, President's Box, Toilet development, medical equipment, sub-station equipment, AC, and solar panel supply.