Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Shakib eyes Bangladesh elections

Awami League joint secretary general Bahauddin Nasim told AFP that Shakib took nomination forms last Saturday (18)

Shakib eyes Bangladesh elections

BANGLADESHI cricket superstar Shakib Al Hasan has formally entered politics, seeking a nomination from the ruling Bangladesh Awami League to run in the upcoming general election on January 7.

Awami League joint secretary general Bahauddin Nasim told AFP that Shakib took nomination forms last Saturday (18) from the party to contest in three constituencies in the election.


The polls are set to be boycotted by major opposition parties.

“He is a celebrity and has great popularity among the country’s youth,” Nasim said, welcoming the cricket all-rounder.

Shakib’s candidature has to be confirmed by a ruling party parliamentary board headed by prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

He hopes to contest a seat either in his southwestern home district of Magura, or in the capital Dhaka, Nasim said. Hasina has led the South Asian country of around 170 million people for the past 15 years and has been accused of ruling with an iron fist. She is seen as almost certain to return to power for a fourth time if the opposition boycott goes ahead. Hasina has overseen impressive economic growth, but Western nations have sounded the alarm over democratic backsliding and she has been accused by the opposition of voterigging at the past two polls.

Turning to politics is nothing new for cricketers in south Asia, where the sport is massively popular. Doing so during a playing career, however, is rare.

But former cricket captain Mashrafe Mortaza joined politics in 2018 and was elected as a lawmaker from the ruling party in the same year. He led Bangladesh in the 2019 World Cup before giving up the sport to focus on politics.

Shakib, Bangladesh’s regular captain in all three formats, is currently nursing a finger injury, which has forced him to skip the forthcoming Test series against New Zealand. He suffered the injury during a match in the World Cup against Sri Lanka, when he made headlines after an unusual appeal against Angelo Mathews, which resulted in international cricket’s first ever timed out.

More For You

KKR vs SRH

The two teams have met 28 times in IPL history so far

Getty

IPL 2025: KKR vs SRH - High-stakes Eden Gardens clash promises fireworks

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 on Thursday at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. This match marks a crucial point in the season for both sides, as they look to bounce back after a slow start.

KKR and SRH, last season’s finalists, have managed just one victory each from their first three matches this season. With both teams desperate to gain momentum, this encounter promises to be a thrilling contest.

Keep ReadingShow less
Messi set to return to India after 14 years for exhibition match in Kerala

Lionel Messi in action against Venezuela in Kolkata in 2011

Messi set to return to India after 14 years for exhibition match in Kerala

LIONEL MESSI and the Argentina national team will visit Kerala in south India for an exhibition match in October.

It will mark Messi’s return to the country 14 years after his first visit.

Keep ReadingShow less
Prabhsimran-Singh-Getty

Prabhsimran Singh scored 69 off 34 balls.

Getty Images

Punjab secure second IPL win with Prabhsimran’s quickfire 69

Wicketkeeper-batsman Prabhsimran Singh struck 69 off 34 balls as Punjab Kings defeated Lucknow Super Giants by eight wickets on Tuesday, securing their second win of the IPL season.

Chasing a target of 172, Punjab reached the total with nearly four overs to spare. Captain Shreyas Iyer remained unbeaten on 52 off 30 balls.

Keep ReadingShow less
IPL 2025: RCB vs GT – Bengaluru Braces for High-Voltage Battle

Out of the 5 encounters between the two teams, RCB has won 3, while GT has secured 2 victories so far

Getty

IPL 2025 - RCB vs GT: Bengaluru prepares for a high-voltage encounter

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to heat up as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) takes on Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 14th match of the season at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on April 2nd. This exciting encounter brings together two teams in top form, with both having a win and a loss under their belt. However, RCB, with their unbeaten record so far in the tournament, enters the contest with more confidence.

RCB’s form and strength

RCB has been nothing short of dominant in their first two matches of the season. They have put on stellar performances, especially with their commanding victories over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In their last match against KKR, RCB chased down a target of 175 runs with ease, reaching the target in just 16.2 overs with seven wickets to spare. Their victory over CSK was even more impressive, as they handed the three-time champions their biggest home defeat in terms of runs. With two wins and a positive net run rate of +2.266, RCB’s well-balanced squad, including Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Josh Hazlewood, is primed for another thrilling victory.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lucknow Hosts Punjab in First Home Game of the Season

Fans can expect a nail-biting finish

Getty

IPL 2025 - LSG vs PBKS: Lucknow to host Punjab in first home game of the season

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 continues to build momentum, and on April 1, fans can expect a thrilling encounter as Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) host Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. This exciting fixture marks LSG's first home game of the season, and with both teams coming off strong performances, the match promises to be an intense showdown.

LSG, led by the young and dynamic Rishabh Pant, have had a mixed start to the season, with one win and one loss. In contrast, PBKS, under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, will be looking to maintain their winning streak after their solid victory in their opening game. The stage is set for a thrilling battle, and all eyes will be on the key players who could turn the tide.

Keep ReadingShow less