Former Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Afridi has tested positive for COVID-19.

 “I’ve been feeling unwell since Thursday; my body had been aching badly. I’ve been tested and unfortunately I’m covid positive. Need prayers for a speedy recovery, InshaAllah,” Afridi tweeted.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) tweeted: "Get well soon. Praying for your swift recovery!"

The Pakistan all-rounder is the third Pakistan cricketer to test positive for the novel virus after Taufeeq Umar and Zafar Sarfaraz.

The legendary Pakistan all-rounder retired from international cricket in 2017, ending an illustrious and sometimes controversial 21-year career, according to Dawn.

He had already quit Tests in 2010 and ODI cricket after the 2015 World Cup but still skippered the Pakistan Twenty20 team at the 2016 world championships in India.

Former captain of Bangladesh Cricket team Mohammad Ashraful to auction his favourite Jersey, which he wore in the ICC World Cup 2007, on Friday (June 19) to raise funds for the country' s Corona virus victims.

The live auction, to be conducted by Bangladesh Art  Week Virtual Charity Auction, will start  at 8 pm (BST). But,  the interested bidder will have to  participate in the auction through prior registration.

Mohammad Ashraful, who emerged as the world youngest centurion on Test debut, came to live on Facebook Friday (June 12) afternoon and made this announcement.

Ashraful said, "I  am cricketer Mohammad Ashraful, I am very delighted to auction my jersey which  I wore in the whole 2007 ICC World Cup  (bearing the autographs of the whole members of then Bangladesh team) to raise funds for artists, sports persons, musicians and their support staffs, those who are impacted by the Covid-19".

 "I do hope, all of you will participate in the live  auction through Virtual Charity Auction after making  registration to collect my Jersey at  your highest possible price for the novel cause," Ashraful further said.

The short -sleeved Ashraful's jersey also signed by Bangladesh team members --Dav Whatmore (Bangladesh coach) Mohammad Ashraful, Habibul Bashar Sumon (captain) , Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Shahriar Nafees, Mohammad Rafique, Abdur Razzak, Aftab Ahmed, Rajin Saleh, Shahadat Hossain, Syed Rasel, Tapash Baisya, Javed Omar Belim Gullu and Mushfiqur Rahim.

National cricketer Aminul Islam Biplob’s father Abdul Kuddus was admitted to the National Heart Foundation, Aminul told the media on Thursday.

Aminul’s father was denied admission by several hospitals as he has been showing some symptoms similar to coronavirus patients for some days now.

On Wednesday, Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal learned that Aminul's ordeal and helped admit Kuddus to Heart Foundation.

“I had been trying to admit my father to a hospital after his condition deteriorated. But every time we got rejected as he is showing some symptoms of coronavirus including breathing problem,” Aminul told the media.

“After coming to the Heart Foundation, they did not initially agree to admit him. I was confused about what to do. I called Tamim bhai and Sabbir bhai (National Manager, BCB) to ask for help. They did everything I need. Now my father is being treated here,” he added.

The government has allotted Tk 3 crore as humanitarian aid for 150 distressed athletes in the country on Tuesday.

State Minister for the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Zahid Ahsan Russell handed over the cheques of humanitarian aid for the athletes on behalf of National Sports Council and Bangabandhu Krirashebi Kalyan Foundation.

While distributing the financial aid for athletes at National Sports Council building in the capital, State Minister said they have already provided aid to over 600 athletes.

The allotted money will be handed over to the root level athletes soon as per the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said adding that a modelling a policy in this regard is underway.

Read Also: BCB donates BDT 5 million for athletes of different federations

State Minister also informed that they have been working to provide Tk 24,000 to each of 1,150 athletes in one year from Bangabandhu Krirashebi Kalyan Foundation.

The outbreak of coronavirus brought many changes to the world. Cricket has also been affected in many ways and the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to impose a ban on using saliva to shine the ball.

Bangladeshi pacer Rubel Hossain said it will make the job of the bowlers difficult.

Like other cricketers, Rubel has been passing time at his home in Bagerhat. The pacer is working on his fitness.

Read Also: Coronavirus: BCB suspends cricket for indefinite period

“Fitness is the most important thing for a pace bowler. I’ve been trying to keep myself busy while staying at home. As the professional cricketer, we have no way but keeping ourselves fit,” Rubel told UNB on Monday.

“We’ve a big park close to our home. I used to go there and run. But it’ll be great if BCB prepares practising facilities for national team players. I heard that they are working on it,” he added.

Rubel said he believes the saliva ban is needed to keep everyone safe from the virus which has already taken nearly 400,000 lives around the world.

“It’ll surely pose a challenge for pace bowlers. We’re used to using saliva to shine the ball from early cricketing days. But we’ve to accept reality. It will take some time to adjust to the new normal. It’s for sure that life will be tough without using saliva on the ball,” the Bangladesh pacer added.

The 30-year-old represented Bangladesh in 101 ODIs and 27 Tests and T20Is. He accumulated 126 wickets in ODIs and 36 and 28 wickets respectively in Tests and T20Is.

Read Also: Cricket fraternity waiting for govt’s ‘green light’