Bangladeshi cricket sensation Shakib Al Hasan has officially entered the realm of politics by seeking a nomination from the ruling Bangladesh Awami League for the upcoming general election scheduled for January 7. Confirming this development, Awami League joint secretary general Bahauddin Nasim informed AFP that Shakib obtained nomination forms on Saturday to contest in three constituencies during the election.
Despite the imminent boycott by major opposition parties, Nasim welcomed the renowned cricket all-rounder, emphasizing Shakib’s widespread popularity among the country’s youth. The confirmation of Shakib’s candidature awaits the decision of the ruling party parliamentary board, presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Shakib, aspiring to secure a seat either in his southwestern home district of Magura or in the capital Dhaka, is currently recovering from a finger injury, sidelining him from the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. Nasim disclosed that Shakib’s political venture aligns with the trend of cricketers in South Asia transitioning to politics, a path exemplified by former cricket captain Mashrafe Mortaza, who joined politics in 2018 and subsequently became a lawmaker from the ruling party.
While Hasina, who has governed the nation of approximately 170 million people for the past 15 years, faces allegations of authoritarian rule, she remains a formidable candidate for a fourth term in power, particularly in the absence of significant opposition participation. Despite overseeing impressive economic growth, concerns over democratic erosion and accusations of vote-rigging by the opposition have marked her tenure.
The decision by Shakib to embark on a political career during his active playing days is a departure from the norm in South Asian cricket circles. However, his move mirrors Mortaza’s trajectory, who transitioned from leading Bangladesh in the 2019 World Cup to focusing entirely on politics after being elected as a lawmaker. Notably, Shakib gained international attention during the World Cup with an unusual appeal against Angelo Mathews, resulting in cricket’s first-ever timed-out dismissal. Source – NDTV
