Shakib to lead Bangladesh at World Cup after Tamim injury 

Bangladeshi cricketer Shakib-al Hassan plays a shot during a practice session at the Chittagong Divisional stadium in Chittagong on March 6, 2008. (AFP/File)
Short Url
Updated 12 August 2023
Follow

Shakib to lead Bangladesh at World Cup after Tamim injury 

  • Tamim, who was given a six-week break following his retirement U-turn, returned home last week after undergoing treatment in the UK 
  • He hopes to return when Bangladesh are scheduled to host New Zealand for 3 ODIs in Sept, following Asia Cup in Pakistan, Sri Lanka 

DHAKA: Bangladesh again named Shakib Al Hasan as captain of their one-day international side on Thursday, filling in for injured opener Tamim Iqbal. 

Shakib, 36, will lead Bangladesh through the World Cup, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) spokesman Tanvir Ahmed told AFP. 

“It has been decided today that Shakib Al Hasan will be our captain in the upcoming Asia Cup and World Cup. We will announce the details in due course,” he said. 

Board president Nazmul Hassan had earlier told reporters that it was the best option to reappoint Shakib as ODI captain with the Asia Cup later this month. 

Tamim, who has a back problem, faces a race to be fit in time for the World Cup beginning in India in early October. 

“Shakib Al Hasan is our easiest and most obvious choice,” Nazmul said. 

Shakib led Bangladesh for 50 ODI matches between 2009 and 2017, winning 23 times in what is traditionally the team’s strongest format. 

Shakib led Bangladesh in all three formats from 2009-11. 

Tamim stepped down last week due to his back injury. 

He had retired from all forms of international cricket in July, only to withdraw his decision a day later at the request of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 

Opening batsman Liton Das led Bangladesh in the remaining Afghanistan ODIs after Tamim’s withdrawal. 

Tamim, who was given a six-week break following his retirement U-turn, returned home last week after undergoing treatment in the United Kingdom. 

He hopes to return when Bangladesh are scheduled to host New Zealand for three ODIs in late September following the Asia Cup in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. 

Bangladesh will start their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan in Dharamsala on October 7. 


Saudi boxing’s inaugural ‘Kingdom’s Belt’ Championship crowns winners in Riyadh

Updated 08 February 2026
Follow

Saudi boxing’s inaugural ‘Kingdom’s Belt’ Championship crowns winners in Riyadh

  • Record participation of 246 fighters highlights growing momentum of boxing across the Kingdom

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Boxing Federation staged its inaugural “Kingdom’s Belt” Championship in Riyadh this week, with champions crowned on Saturday after four days of competition.

Held at the Mike Tyson Club in Boulevard City, the tournament featured 246 male and female fighters representing 46 clubs from across the Kingdom — the largest turnout for a domestic boxing championship organized by the federation.

Athletes qualified through regional tournaments, setting up national-level competition across multiple weight divisions in both men’s and women’s categories.

The championship formed part of the federation’s official calendar and was run under technical and administrative supervision, with bouts conducted in line with approved regulations and officiating standards.

Fighters progressed through preliminary rounds and semifinals before Saturday’s finals, where winners received the Kingdom’s belts during the closing ceremony.

The event showcased competitive matchups across divisions and highlighted the continued growth of organized boxing in Saudi Arabia.

Federation officials said the tournament represents an important addition to the domestic calendar, offering athletes a structured pathway to compete nationally while supporting efforts to develop the sport across the Kingdom.