Shakib Al Hasan All Set To Join Politics, Will Contest Elections For the Ruling Party
Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh cricket superstar formally enters the field of politics, seeking a nomination from the ruling Bangladesh Awami League. In fact, He is hoping to run in the upcoming general election on January 7. Shakib is a popular figure in Bangladesh and has a huge influence on the people of Bangladesh which can greatly benefit his political career.
Awami League joint secretary general Bahauddin Nasim told the AFP that Shakib Al Hasan took the nomination forms on Saturday from the party office. He is expecting to contest in three constituencies in the upcoming general election. However, major opposition parties are ready to boycott the polls.
“He is a celebrity and has great popularity among the country’s youth,” Nasim said, welcoming the Bangladesh skipper. Shakib Al Hasan’s candidature is yet to be confirmed by a parliamentary board headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Shakib Al Hasan Will Manage Politics Alongside His Cricketing Career
The Bangladesh Skipper hopes to contest either in his southwestern home district of Magura or in the capital city of Dhaka, according to General Secretary Nasim. Shiekh Hasina has led the Bangladeshi population of 170 million for the past 15 years. She has been accused of ruling the South Asian country with an iron fist. If the opposition’s boycott goes ahead, Hasina can see a fourth term in power.
Sheikh Hasina has overseen impressive economic growth in the country. However, Western countries have sounded the alarm over the democratic backsliding over there in Bangladesh. The opposition party has accused her of rigging the votes in the past two election polls.
It is nothing new for South Asian cricketers to turn to politics given the popularity of the sports. However, it is fairly new to see someone joining politics amid his cricketing career. Former Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza also joined politics in 2018 and was elected as a lawmaker from the ruling party in the same year. However, he led Bangladesh in the following 2019 World Cup before leaving the game to focus on his political career full-time.
Shakib Al Hasan is currently nursing a finger injury and will be unavailable for Bangladesh’s upcoming assignment. Bangladesh is gearing up to host New Zealand in two tests starting from November 28. In the absence of Shakib Al Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead the side against Tim Southee’s New Zealand.
