Mashrafee bhai, Swapna Apu inspired me- Tamim
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||CF Correspondent ||
Bangladesh ODI’s skipper Tamim Iqbal said that he was influenced Mashrafee bin Mortaza and Swapna Apu to make a move so that the cricketers can come to forward and help the distressed during this crisis caused by coronavirus pandemic.
Members of the Bangladesh cricket team on Wednesday announced to donate the half of their one month salary for the fight against coronavirus.
A total of 27 players, including 17 players under national payroll and 10 other players who were part of the squad during recent series against Zimbabwe, have joined the initiative.
The total amount of the donation is approximately Tk 25 lakh after deducting the taxes, revealed one-day international captain Tamim Iqbal, who led the move.
‘’I have been influenced by watching others. There is one company, Mark & Spencer, its chief executive, Swapna Apu, is making some kind of clothing for doctors. I have been overwhelmed by these things. I'm sure these 27 cricketers are also inspired by others. I can only hope that five more people will be inspired by watching our initiative. That's how what I said earlier we all have to do some contribution to get out of this situation,’’ said Tamim in a private TV channel.
‘’Mashrafe called me and told me to do this thing and it would be good. This is how it has started. And honestly, the three captains - Mominul, Mahmudullah and Mushfiq - they were very helpful in this regard,’’ he said.
‘’The whole world is struggling because of this one disease. As a country, we have to try to reduce as much as we can. If we give everything up on others then it will be very difficult. We also have a lot of things to do. One thing to remember today is because of this country we are here. You are a big businessman because of this country. You are a big cricketer because of this country. When this country is in trouble, it is our responsibility to help. It can be 100 taka, it can be 50 taka, and it can be 50 lakh taka. Everyone should help from their own position, and why it is like that, why that is not like that, despite having this discussion if we advance all together then we will see that our country will not be as affected as other countries,’’ he concluded.
BCB officials said that the fund deducted from the players’ salary will be handed to an appropriate body, which is involved in the fight against the virus,’ said the official.
Bangladesh on Wednesday confirmed its fifth dead in the virus among the 39 infected people.
A nationwide transport shutdown also began on Wednesday with members of armed forces patrolling the street in support of civil administration for maintaining social distance.
