Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has advised Bangladesh's ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan not to contest the upcoming 11th parliamentary election and to give full attention to cricket.

She asked Shakib to pay more attention to the matches as the cricket world cup will be held next year, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader quoted Sheikh Hasina as saying.  

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11th JS polls: AL starts sale of nomination papers

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, was talking to reporters at AL party office at Dhanmondi today, Bangladesh daily Prothom Alo reports.  

WILL MASHRAFE RUN THE POLLS? 

However, popular cricketer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza will collect nomination form from the AL office today, the minister confirmed.

Md Abu Naser, senior information officer of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, yesterday said Mashrafe will contest the 11th parliamentary elections to be held on December 23 with Awami League ticket.

Although the party spokesman had informed Shakib Al Hasan's bid for elections, the all-rounder backtracked on his decision.

He informed Daily Prothom Alo late last night that he would not be buying nomination paper for the upcoming election.

WHEN DID THE SALE OF NOMINATION PAPERS START?

On Friday, the ruling Awami League started selling the party’s nomination papers for the 11th general election.

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader inaugurated the sale of nomination forms at AL president’s Dhanmondi political office with the purchase of a nomination paper on behalf of the party President Sheikh Hasina.