Bangladeshi cricket captain Shakib Al Hasan secured a parliamentary seat in a decisive victory during a general election marked by opposition boycotts. The 36-year-old, who captains in all cricket formats, emerged victorious in the Magura constituency in western Bangladesh with a significant margin of over 150,000 votes, according to Abu Naser Beg, the district’s chief administrator.
The cricketer-turned-politician, aligned with the ruling Awami League and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is set for an anticipated fifth term. However, the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chose to abstain from the election, and there has been no immediate response from Shakib on his political success.
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Leading up to the election, Shakib acknowledged feeling a sense of anxiety despite facing no significant challenges. He commented, “The competition and challenges are always there, be it a small team or a big team.” His political campaign required a temporary departure from cricket, leading to inquiries about his ability to balance roles as both a lawmaker and a cricket captain. Shakib addressed such speculation during his campaigning, stating, “Did I retire? If I haven’t retired, then where does this question come from?”
Shakib, the only individual to have held the number-one all-rounder rank in all three cricket formats simultaneously by the International Cricket Council, commenced his international career at the age of 19 in 2006. His victory in the parliamentary seat adds a new chapter to his illustrious career, highlighting his influence both on the cricket field and in the political arena.
