‘Karting Experience’ inspires Jeddah’s youth ahead of Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025

SAVAR: Former Bangladesh men’s cricket captain Tamim Iqbal is in hospital after suffering cardiac arrest during a Twenty20 match on Monday.
The 36-year-old Tamim reportedly complained of chest pains while fielding as he was leading the Mohammedan team against Shinepukur in Savar in the Dhaka Premier Division.
ESPN said his condition rapidly worsened and the Mohammedan team physio performed CPR. Tamim was rushed to KPJ Hospital where he underwent emergency treatment.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board said in a statement that an “angiogram procedure to address a blockage in one of the arteries of his heart” was successful, adding that Tamim remained under close observation in a coronary care unit.
He was visited in hospital by Mohammedan teammates Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam.
Tamim is the only Bangladesh batter to score centuries in all three international formats. He’s scored more than 5,000 test runs in his 15 years as Bangladesh’s prime opener, including 10 centuries and a top score of 206 against Pakistan in 2015.
Known for scoring heavily through the offside and for his textbook straight drive, he caught the eye with a stylish second-innings 103 against England at Lord’s in 2010 when Bangladesh was following on, and a gritty 108 in Bangladesh’s modest total of 216 in the next test in Manchester. Tamim’s astute reading of situations meant he could also bat well while managing tailenders.
He’s amassed more than 8,000 one-day international runs with 14 centuries and a best of 158, and hit one T20 hundred.
In late 2023, Tamim opted out of the ODI World Cup after a dispute with a BCB member.

MUSCAT: Having won the opening race of the 2025 Middle East Trophy at the Dubai 24 Hour in January, Omani driver Al-Faisal Al-Zubair of Al-Manar Racing is now set to take on a new challenge in one of Europe’s most prestigious GT racing championships.

The announcement that Al-Manar will race at the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe came at a ceremony on Sunday night held under the patronage of Kamil bin Fahd bin Mahmood Al-Said, the secretary-general of the General Secretariat of the Omani Council of Ministers.

The start of the 2025 season marked a new chapter for Al-Zubair and Al-Manar Racing team as they teamed up with a new partner, the WRT team.

The team began their partnership with a win at Dubai Autodrome, and will now participate in the endurance and sprint races at the Fanatec GT World Challenge. This will be the first time that Al-Zubair has taken part in sprint races after only participating in endurance races last year.

Speaking during the ceremony, at which he was joined by key partners, sponsors, dignitaries, media, family and friends, Al-Zubair said: “I am proud to announce my 2025 racing program, which started off perfectly with a new team and a new car, including our victory in the Dubai 24 Hour.

“I am delighted to be carrying the flag of the Sultanate of Oman and the Arab world, and my goal is to build on last year’s achievements.

“Last year I finished second but in the 2025 season Al-Manar Racing will partner with the world’s most important and best GT team, WRT, so it’s only natural that our goal is to achieve first place. The victory in Dubai came at the perfect time in my first participation with the team, and it provided a morale boost and a great boost for the season.

“For the past three years I have driven a Mercedes, and in 2025 I will move to a BMW GT3 Evo, which I will use to compete in all rounds of the Fanatec GT World Challenge.

“This season is different from last year as I will participate in all 10 rounds of the Fanatec GT Challenge, which includes the long endurance races and the short sprint races where I will compete for the sprint and endurance championship titles, as well as the overall championship title.”

He added: “My teammates, German racing driver Jens Klingmann and British racing driver Ben Tuck, will alternate with me in the team, and our goal is to win the Gold Cup title. I am eagerly awaiting the start of the season at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France next month.”

Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe is renowned for its fiercely competitive field and demanding race tracks, providing the ultimate test of endurance, speed, and precision. The rounds include a number of races, starting in France and then continuing to Britain, Belgium and Italy, along with other locations.