Shakib Khan’s Dhaka Capitals to host showbiz-cricket crossover match

For over two decades, Shakib Khan has been a leading figure in the Dhallywood film industry. Recently, he has ventured into the world of cricket through his business enterprise, Remark-Herlan, which has acquired a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) franchise named Dhaka Capitals.

Currently, Dhaka Capitals is planning to host matches featuring some of the nation’s top showbiz personalities, per an announcement by actor Siam Ahmed, the brand ambassador for Remark-Herlan.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) inaugurated its latest tournament, the NCL T20, with a grand launch event on Saturday. Among the notable attendees was Siam Ahmed, representing Remark-Herlan, one of the tournament’s sponsors. During a post-event interaction with the media, Siam hinted at the prospect of a match between popular showbiz celebrities and the Dhaka Capitals team.

When asked about the possibility of a future match bringing together national cricket players and entertainment industry icons, Siam shared his vision, stating, “This is an idea I’ve been considering as well. I plan to propose it to the BCB. On a positive note, before this event, I spoke with Remark-Herlan, and they’ve already approved the initiative.”

He further elaborated, “With BCB’s collaboration, we could create something truly remarkable. However, even without their involvement, we’re committed to organising an exciting match between the Dhaka Capitals and celebrities associated with Remark-Herlan.”

Addressing the significance of the event, Siam explained, “Recently, there seems to be some division within the showbiz community. Our aim is to foster unity in the entertainment industry. If cricket can serve as a platform to bridge that divide, it would be a wonderful opportunity. Since Dhaka Capitals is owned by Remark-Herlan, I proposed organising a match with this team to bring everyone together.”

When asked about the potential participants, Siam revealed, “All the celebrities linked to Remark-Herlan will take part in the event. Additionally, we plan to extend invitations to others, ensuring the entire entertainment industry feels included.”

Siam also highlighted the charitable purpose behind the event. “Bringing together talents from two diverse industries creates a unique opportunity to give back to those in need. I’ve discussed this idea with Remark-Herlan, and they are enthusiastic about supporting this cause,” he said.

While the match is in the works, the date is yet to be decided. Siam mentioned that the event could take place before the BPL kicks off, during the season, or even after the tournament concludes.

This season, Shakib Khan’s Dhaka Capitals will feature a stellar lineup, including Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzid Hasan, Liton Das, Thisara Perera, Sabbir Rahman, and other prominent players from both local and international cricket.

In contrast, last year saw Generation Next host a cricket league exclusively featuring showbiz celebrities. However, the event came to an abrupt end following a heated altercation among participants during one of the matches.