Bangladesh cricketers donate salaries to coronavirus relief effort

A total of 27 players are giving half of their monthly wage - an estimated £24,826 after tax - to the government to help deal with the pandemic

bangladesh250301-min

Bangladesh players have moved to assist the coronavirus relief effort by donating a portion of their salaries.

Twenty-seven players, including the 17 centrally contracted stars, will give half of their monthly wage to the government.

Donations will total TK3m (£29,805) and after-tax will be reduced to TK2.5m (£24,836).

There is no official relief fund currently in Bangladesh and talks are ongoing over how the money can be used to help the country's response to the outbreak.

"The whole world is fighting against coronavirus pandemic," a statement on behalf of the players from ODI captain Tamim Iqbal. "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.

"Seventeen players, who are in the central contract of BCB, and 10 other players who took part in recent series for the 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 taka. Maybe this fund is not that much compared to the fight against coronavirus. But if we all together can contribute from our own positions, 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 criticising others, then we can win the war against coronavirus. Everyone, please stay home, stay safe. Be well and keep our country safe."

At the time of writing, there have been 39 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with five people having died. On Monday, the government deployed a 10-day shutdown until April 4, while domestic flights, road transport and train travel has been suspended.

Comments

LATEST NEWS

STAY UP TO DATE Sign up to our newsletter...
SIGN UP

Thank You! Thank you for subscribing!

Edinburgh House, 170 Kennington Lane, London, SE115DP

website@thecricketer.com

Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.