Published: Mar 25, 2020, 04:35 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 25, 2020, 04:35 PM (IST)
Bangladesh national cricket team has announced its players are to donate half of their salaries to help the country counter the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
Bangladesh on Monday had announced a 10-day lockdown that will be effective from March 26 even as the country recorded fifth death due to the virus.
A total of 27 cricketers have pledged the donation of which 17 have national contracts while the rest have represented the country in recent tournaments.
“The whole world is fighting against coronavirus pandemic,” the players said in a joint statement. “The outbreak of coronavirus is also increasing in Bangladesh. We, the cricketers, are trying to aware people in social media to take necessary steps to prevent this pandemic . But we believe we have many more things to do rather than just increasing awareness among people.”
“17 players, who are in the central contract of BCB, and 10 other players who took part in recent series for national team; in total we are 27 cricketers giving half of our monthly salaries to help against coronavirus. After excluding the tax the amount might be approximately 25 lakh around.”
Players further urged everyone to stay at home.
“May be this fund is not that much compare to the fight against coronavirus. But if we all together can contribute from our own position, then in combined, it might be a bigger step to fight against coronavirus. If we can take the responsibilities and try to make contribution wholeheartedly rather than criticizing others, then we can win the war against coronavirus. Everyone please stay home, stay safe. Be well and keep our country safe,” the statement read.
COVID-19, a new straing of coronavirus, has so far infected over 4,00,000 globally with more than 19,500 reported deaths.
