Shahid Afridi, Mushfiur Rahim, Bat
Shahid Afridi. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The coronavirus pandemic has totally sabotaged the international calendar of many sporting events across the world. The deadly outbreak has infected more than 4.5 million people across the globe and has claimed the lives of more than lakh people.

In a heart-warming gesture, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi purchased Bangladesh batsman Mushfiqur Rahim’s historic bat that he had put for auction in a bid to increase funds for the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi. Credits: Twitter

Mushfiqur Rahim in 2013, smashed a memorable 200 runs off 321 balls during a match against Sri Lanka in Galle. The batsman himself made some special memories with the bat as he became the first double centurion for his country.

Mushfiqur Rahim thanks Shahid Afridi:

It was Mushfiqur Rahim who took to Twitter on Friday to announce that Afridi has bought his bat for a massive sum after five days of the auction. Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman was blissfully pleased after Shahid Afridi purchased his historic bat at the charity auction. Mushfiqur took to his official Twitter handle to thank Afridi.

 

“Thanks for your support brother ✊✊✊,” Mushfiqur Rahim wrote while thanking Shahid Afridi.

“Definitely, the bat is very special to me because it is attached to history. Not everyone can become the first double centurion for his country. I had a special liking for this bat. But there is nothing more important than human life and so I have decided to put it into the auction,” Mushfiqur Rahim had said while putting his bat for auction.

Cricket is to bind: Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi (Image Credit: Google)

“Cricket is to bind. In the divisive world of today, we must look forward to better tomorrow; its always upto us to take 1st step. @SAFoundationN believes human suffering & empathy is beyond borders.Hope this small token will help building bigger bridges.#DonateKaroNa #HopeNotOut,” Shahid Afridi wrote.

It was on Friday that Afridi purchased the bat for USD 20,000 for his foundation.

“Hope this small token will help to build bigger bridges,” Shahid Afridi wrote on Twitter.

‘Assalamualaikum Mushfiq, what you’re doing for your countrymen is truly amazing. We are going through a tough time, and we need to support each other in order to recover from this situation. The amount of love and respect I have received from Bangladesh over the years will always be remembered,” Afridi said in a video message to Mushfiqur.

Meanwhile, the ongoing coronavirus crisis might make it literally tough for cricket to resume for another four to five months. Nonetheless, based on the current situation, playing behind the closed doors is the last resort.