Bangladesh’s world-famed all rounder Shakib Al Hasan joined his family on Friday (April 3) in sound health after spending 14 days in isolation in a hotel since arriving in the United States of America (USA).

Shakib, who is currently serving a  two-year ban (with one year suspended) from cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC), went into self-isolation in a hotel room on March 21 amid the outbreak of COVID-19 that has reached epidemic levels there.

It meant he had to put off meeting his wife Umme Ahmed Shisir and daughter Alaiyana Hasan as a measure of precaution.

In a video message during the self-isolation period, Shakib made an announcement to form a charity organization named "The Shakib Al Hasan Foundation". The foundation already started functioning under the banner of "Mission Save Bangladesh" to support distressed people in the country.

In another video posted on his Facebook page at the time, Shakib also urged his fans, followers and fellow Bangladeshis to stay home to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

“We have to follow the precautionary steps which can help us stay safe and healthy at this moment. We have to wash our hands frequently, we have to maintain social distance and follow the right way while coughing and sneezing,” Shakib said in the video post.
 
By isolating himself, Shakib Al Hasan has already set an example. He further wants people to follow the simple guidelines to protect themselves from getting affected by the disease.
The prolific all-rounder feels by spreading more awareness, we can keep the country safe.

Shakib said many coronavirus affected patients have been found in Bangladesh. “We need to be careful now. Our awareness can keep our country safe, to keep us healthy,” he added.

“By following some simple steps, I think we can be free from this disease and keep our country safe from it. For example, washing hands with soap, maintaining social distance, adhering to proper etiquette when coughing and if someone is returning from abroad, he must keep himself at home and make sure not to leave the house,“ he also said.

Before going to the USA, Shakib was travelling in the UK  to watch a football match between Manchester United FC and Manchester City FC at Old Trafford on March 8. The all-rounder posted an image of Old Trafford on March 14 on his social media.

After that, he returned to Bangladesh and visited his village in Magura where he posted some pictures with the hashtag #backtomychildhood on his social media from March 16-19. 

Shakib was banned from all cricketing activities for two years, with one of those suspended, last October. That first year will be completed during the T20 World Cup this year in Australia.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday expressed condolence at the death of a mathematician and statistician Tony Lewis.

Lewis was 78.

Lewis is the co-creator of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method for deciding weather-affected limited-overs matches in the game of cricket.

BCB CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said Tony Lewis revolutionised the cricket with a method that is considered the fairest in settling weather-interrupted games.

His contribution will be forever remembered, he added.

Lewis and fellow statistician Frank Duckworth had co-devised the system originally called the Duckworth-Lewis method which was first used in 1997 and officially endorsed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1999.

The system calculates targets based on the batting team's wickets in hand, and overs in hand via mathematical formulas.

In 2014, Prof Steven Stern of Australia’s Bond University   became the custodian of the system following the retirements of Duckworth and Lewis.

Top 91 Bangladeshi cricketers, who are contracted with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) as the First-class ones, decided to donate their 15-day salary to help the poor people who have been suffering due to crisis created over coronavirus pandemic. 

The donation will go to the fund of the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) who earlier called for an initiative to help the underprivileged people across the country during this crisis. 

“We will try to extend this initiative to as many places as possible. We have a strong base in more than 30 districts. We understand it’s a big challenge to overcome the current situation created over coronavirus. But we believe it’s possible [to tackle the situation] if we extend our helping hand,” Debabrata Paul, member secretary of CWAB, told UNB.

At the same time, he urged people to contribute to this fund. He said, “It’s a big challenge. We will try to help the people at the Upazila level. So I would like to request interested people to contribute to the fund  so that we can reach as many people as possible.”

All the cricketing events of Bangladesh are on halt due to the outbreak of the virus which has left many cricketers jobless. In response to this situation, BCB decided to help the cricketers with a one-time financial aid which will be applied for both men and women cricketers. 

Meanwhile, more than 9 lakh people were tested positive for coronavirus around the globe and more than 47000 died. As per the latest update on Mar 2, Bangladesh identified 56 people who are infected with the coronavirus while six of them have died.

In an effort to keep cricketers fit during the holidays announced to curb the spread of COVID-19, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has designed a guideline for maintaining a basic level of fitness and conditioning as well as mental health. 

All cricketing activities remain suspended in the country including domestic tournaments and preparation camps.

The BCB is mindful of the challenges the cricketers will face when they return to the field and the guideline has been prepared as a priority. The exercise instructions from BCB’s Head of Physical Performance Nick Lee are easy to follow at home even if someone does not have access to fitness equipment or a gym. 

The National Team players have been given a specialised programme. A general guideline and day by day workout plan is available to all cricketers through the Board’s official digital platforms. A sudden return to cricket after a prolonged lay off raises risks of injury. That is why the Board expects the players to make the best use of this initiative.

The Board also acknowledges the need for mental support during these difficult times. Accordingly, the BCB medical team has developed a Mental Health document for the players which is also accessible on the BCB’s official website and facebook page.

The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB), a platform of former and current cricketers, has decided to support the poor people during the coronavirus crisis.

They formed two committees -- Advisory Committee and Convening Committee -- comprising current and former star cricketers, cricket organisers and fans. 

The first Test captain of Bangladesh, Naimur Rahman Durjoy, current Test captain Mominul Haque and ODI captain Tamim Iqbal are involved in this initiative, confirmed a CWAB spokesman.

In a press release on Wednesday, CWAB said it has formed new committees to raise funds to help the poor during this crisis that has left many day labourers, roadside tea stall owners, street hawkers and others who live from hand to mouth in dire situations.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hassan Papon will lead the committee as the chief advisor while former captain of Bangladesh National Cricket team Naimur Rahman Durjoy MP will lead the main committee as convener. 

“We will try to extend this initiative to as many places as possible. We have a strong base in more than 30 districts. We understand it’s a big challenge to overcome the current situation created by coronavirus. But we believe it’s possible [to tackle the situation] if we extend a helping hand,” Debabrata Paul, the member secretary of CWAB, told UNB on Wednesday.

At the same time, he urged people to contribute to this initiative. He said: “It’s a big challenge. We will try to help the people at the upazila level. So I would like to request interested people to contribute to the initiative so that we can reach as many people as possible.”

Earlier, the top 27 cricketers of the country donated their 15-day salary to help the people who have lost their jobs or who lead a hand-to-mouth life. The initiative was taken by Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal. 

Bank details to contribute CWAB initiative: 

One Bank Limited, Dhanmondi Branch, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

Account Name: Cricketers welfare association of Bangladesh (CWAB), 

Account No: 0130105469004, Swift code: ONEBBDDH, RN No: 165261184 

Members of Advisory Committee: Nazmul Hasan Papon MP (Chief Adviser), Tanvir Mazharul Islam Tanna, Enayet Hossain Siraj and Ahmed Sajjadul Alam Bobby (advisers).

Members of Convening Committee: Naimur Rahman Durjoy (Convener), Khaled Mhmud Shujon, ,Tamim Iqbal and Mominul Haque (joint conveners).

Members: Raquibul Hasan, Akram Khan, Minhajul Abedin Nannu, Habibul Bashar Sumon, Iftekhar Rahman Mithu, Ziauddin Ahmed Shovon, GM Faisal Hossain Robin, AKM Ahsanullah Hasan, Nafees Iqbal, Rajin Saleh and Debabrotho Paul (Member Secretary).