Mushfiqur Rahim, former national cricket team captain of Bangladesh has been named as UNICEF’s newest National Ambassador in Bangladesh to promote children’s rights throughout the country.
Mushfiqur Rahim has appeared in 70 tests and 218 ODIs where he scored at an average of about 36.
Mushfiqur Rahim: Child Rights And UNICEF Close To My Heart
The 33-year-old Mushfiqur Rahim is a Bangladeshi cricketer and also the former captain of the Bangladesh national cricket team. Between August 2009 and December 2010 he served as Bangladesh’s vice-captain, across all formats. He is considered as the most successful captain of Bangladesh in tests. He was ranked as one of the world’s most famous athletes by ESPN in 2019.
“Child rights and the work of UNICEF are close to my heart, and this is an important opportunity for me to lend my voice. As a cricket player and a father, I will do my best to bring people together to create positive change for children, especially the most vulnerable,” Mushfiq said Sunday.
Mushfiqur Rahim, who made his debut at an early age of 15, is among the top three run-scorers in Bangladesh cricket history with nearly 12,000 international runs and 14 centuries under his belt.
UNICEF’s National Ambassadors include cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, magician Jewel Aich and actor Arifa Perveen Zaman (Moushumi), while UNICEF’s Youth Advocates include cricketer Mehedi Hasan Miraj, as well as digital influencer Raba Khan.
UNICEF Representative Extends Warm Welcome To Mushfiqur Rahim
In his role as a UNICEF National Ambassador, wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim will help raise awareness about children’s rights and issues affecting youth, like the right to education, the impact of poverty and discrimination, and children’s need for protection against violence, abuse and exploitation.
“We’d like to extend a warm welcome to Mushfiqur Rahim as he joins UNICEF as a National Ambassador. With his strong commitment to child rights – along with his prestige, talent and presence – he will reach the hearts and minds of people throughout Bangladesh,” said Tomoo Hozumi, Representative, UNICEF Bangladesh.
This year, he has spoken out against racism and has played an active role in supporting vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading fundraising efforts and donations among the Bangladesh cricket team.
He also used his social media platform to support the Government of Bangladesh’s call for people to stay at home during the countrywide lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic and to follow health guidelines besides staying alert to the dangers of spreading misinformation about COVID-19.
“We are very pleased that Mushfiqur Rahim is maintaining a long-standing tradition among the cricket fraternity to amplify the voices of children. It is our sincere hope that this close collaboration with UNICEF will contribute to the health and wellbeing of children in Bangladesh,” said BCB chief executive officer Nizamuddin Chowdhury.
Mushfiqur Rahim joins celebrities from the world of sports, arts and entertainment including fellow cricketer and another UNICEF National Ambassador all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to engage children and youth besides the general public and policymakers on critical issues affecting children.