A shadow of grief falls over the passing of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from India have also expressed condolences.
Now the Bangladesh Cricket Board has taken the initiative to pay tribute to her. The BCB announced the cancellation of two matches of the Bangladesh Premier League scheduled for December 30. Along with cricket, football matches have also been cancelled.
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On Khaleda Zia's passing, the BCB stated that today's two matches have been cancelled due to the country's mourning situation and to pay respect to Khaleda Zia. The BCB will announce when these two matches will be held. Today, Sylhet Titans vs Chattogram Royals and Dhaka Capitals vs Rangpur Riders were scheduled to face each other.
Football matches cancelled
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has announced that all pre-scheduled matches under its jurisdiction are being postponed. The Under-15 National Championship final was in Noakhali, which will be held on another day. There were three women's football league matches today. Those have also been postponed. The dates for all matches will be announced later.
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Bangladesh players have also expressed grief. T20 team captain Litton Das writes that he expresses deep sorrow at the death of Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and in this moment of grief, he extends heartfelt condolences to her family, loved ones and countrymen.
Bangladesh ODI team captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz has also expressed condolences. Mushfiqur Rahim, one of the senior cricketers of the Bangladesh team, has also expressed grief. Meanwhile, former Bangladesh cricket captain Shakib Al Hasan, who cannot return to the country, has also paid tribute. He writes on his Facebook page, "In this moment of grief, my deep condolences to her family and relatives. She has done important work and made contributions for the country in her long political life. I pray for her to everyone."
