Mashrafe to seek AL nomination, Shakib backtracks

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, a top cricketer, is expected to buy an Awami League nomination form for the upcoming general election.

But ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan reversed his plan.

Shakib met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Ganabhaban on Saturday, an official at the Prime Minister's Office said, asking not to be named.

Hasina asked Shakib to hold on to cricket as the World Cup is looming, according to the official.

Shakib’s statement was not immediately available.

Earlier, Awami League’s Deputy Office Secretary Biplab Barua said that both Mashrafe and Shakib called the party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader and said they would collect the forms on Sunday.

Mashrafe intends to contest from Narail.

Mashrafe, the present captain of the one-day team in national cricket, is already involved in social welfare activities in the constituency.

He established an institution called ‘Narail Express Foundation’ last year with a goal to bring development to different sectors in Narail.