Bangladesh’s First Woman PM Khaleda Zia Died at Age 80 – BPL Cancelled After Shock

Khaleda Zia died at 80, marking a huge loss for Bangladesh politics—she was the nation’s first female PM and BNP chairperson who shaped Dhaka’s power games for decades. Khaleda Zia died this morning at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka after battling lung infections, liver cirrhosis, and other issues for years. Now, here’s the thing—her passing cancels BPL matches and stirs up old rivalries with Sheikh Hasina, but it also leaves BNP scrambling in a fragile post-Hasina era.

Honestly? This is huge. Not just a headline. A historical pivot.

Khaleda Zia’s passing in Dhaka at 80 didn’t just close a life, it marked the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics. She shaped modern Bangladesh in ways that still echo every election cycle.

What’s really going on after Khaleda Zia died?

Khaleda Zia died early Tuesday at 6 AM in Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital, just after Fajr prayer, her BNP announced on Facebook. She had been admitted since November 23 with lung and heart issues, on top of chronic problems like diabetes, arthritis, and liver cirrhosis that specialists from UK, US, China, and Australia treated.

Crowds quickly gathered outside the hospital in Dhaka, with police blocking access as BNP leaders called for prayers. Her funeral is set for Wednesday at Manik Mia Avenue near parliament, drawing eyes from Chittagong to Sylhet where her legacy in restoring democracy after military rule still echoes.

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What was the reason of death for Khaleda Zia?

Doctors listed multiple failures: severe lung infection turned pneumonia, advanced liver cirrhosis, heart complications, diabetes, arthritis, and kidney issues piled up over years. Admitted November 23 for tests, her condition crashed by November 27, landing her in CCU on life support—but at 80, aggressive multi-treatment wasn’t viable.

Now, I mean, she had been frail since her last public outing on November 21 at Dhaka Cantonment’s Armed Forces Day, wheeled in pale and tired. Experts from abroad flew in, but chronic ailments won out, as her personal doc confirmed she breathed her last Tuesday morning.

Quick health timeline: why Khaleda Zia passed away

Why BPL cancelled after Khaleda Zia died – full impact?

Bangladesh Cricket Board scrapped Tuesday’s double-header at Sylhet International Stadium—Sylhet Titans vs Chattogram Royals and Dhaka Capitals vs Rangpur Riders—hours before toss. BCB honored her cricket support during PM tenures, crediting her for infrastructure boosts that grew the game nationwide.

Matches get rescheduled later, as the board joins national mourning from Dhaka to Barisal. Fans in Sylhet and Chattogram feel the pause—BPL thrills halted for a leader who backed sports amid her BNP vs Awami rivalry.

Public reaction: grief, confusion, and national pause

Words like “irreparable loss” aren’t random.

People poured onto the streets — not always loud, but emotionally heavy. Markets slowed. Flags were lowered. Even the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) was cancelled out of respect.

That doesn’t happen without real impact.

Here’s a taste of what people are saying:

“She changed Bangladesh in ways no one else did.” — Dhaka resident

“Politics here will never be the same.” — Chittagong journalist

“We mourn a pioneer.” — Academic in Sylhet

Across villages in Rajshahi and urban centers like Khulna, the mood was somber and reflective.

Aid groups and opposition voices praise her anti-corruption push, though critics recall BNP graft scandals from her husband Ziaur Rahman’s era. And then what? Social media explodes with #KhaledaZia trending across Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina news after Khaleda Zia died – any reaction?

Sheikh Hasina, ousted in August student uprising and now exiled, sent condolences calling Khaleda Zia died a “profound loss” for Bangladesh. Despite decades of bitter feuds—jail terms, election battles—Hasina praised her rival’s role in democracy post-military era.

Her son Sajeeb Wazed (Joy) echoed grief, noting the end of an era where two women from Dhaka’s elite families traded PM seats five times. From India exile, Hasina’s words stir mixed feelings in Chittagong markets where old grudges linger

Timeline of Khaleda Zia’s life and political milestones

Legacy debate: what historians and analysts are saying

Here’s where voices differ:

• Political analyst: “She represented a strong nationalist identity in Bangladesh politics.”
• Historian: “Her rivalry with Hasina defined an era — sometimes in ways the nation still hasn’t fully processed.”
• Regional expert: “Her death now raises questions about future elections and democratic stability.”

These are not fringe opinions. They reflect deep structural questions about Bangladesh’s political fabric.

What’s your take—Khaleda Zia died closes a chapter, but does it heal or ignite Bangladesh divides? Drop opinions below, share with friends or socials if this cleared the fog on her legacy and BPL chaos!

Shubhankar