Bangladesh star Shakib Al Hasan raises $24,000 after auctioning 2019 World Cup bat
Money raised for country's fight against coronavirus pandemic
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 02: Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh scoops a shot to the legside as India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant looks on during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between Bangladesh and India at Edgbaston on July 02, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan raised almost $24,000 (Dh88,000) for the country's coronavirus campaign by auctioning the bat he used to score 606 runs at the 2019 World Cup in England.
The winning bid in the online auction came from a New York-based Bangladeshi, said Arif Hossain, co-founder of an organisation established to raise funds for charity.
"It was our first initiative. We are really happy by the response," Hossain told AFP.
Star all-rounder Shakib was banned for two years last year for failing to report being approached by a match-fixers. With one year of his ban suspended, he is due to resume international cricket in October 2020.
Hussain said the money raised would be given to a foundation started by Shakib, but gave no other details.
The auction came two days after more than 140 workers at a crab farm owned by Shakib staged a protest to complain about not being paid.
Shakib said he was not involved in the day-to-day operations of the farm but would take action.
"My co-owners and working partners failed to inform me properly of what was going on over the last few months," he said in a statement.
He said he paid the employees some 1.9 million taka (Dh84,000) on Wednesday. Bangladesh has officially reported 4186 coronavirus infections and 127 deaths.
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2019 World Cup final
England's Eoin Morgan and teammates celebrate after beating New Zealand to win the 2019 World Cup. Reuters
Jofra Archer, left, and Chris Woakes after England's triumph over New Zealand in the World Cup final at Lord's in July 2019. PA
Liam Plunkett holds the World Cup trophy aloft alongside captain Eoin Morgan. Getty
England's Jos Buttler, second left, celebrates with teammates after running out New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill to win the World Cup final on July 1, 2019. AP
England players celebrate after winning the Cricket World Cup final at Lord's. AP
England's Chris Woakes celebrates taking the wicket of New Zealand's Henry Nicholls that was later overturned by DRS. Reuters
England fans during the World Cup final. Getty
Jason Roy of England celebrates with fans after victory. Getty
England's Jofra Archer appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of New Zealand's Martin Guptill. Reuters
A screen at Lord's signals the game is going to a Super Over. Getty
A member of The Red Devils parachute display team before the match. Reuters
General view inside Lord's before the match. Early showers over London delayed the coin toss by 15 minutes. Reuters
The Cricket World Cup trophy. Reuters
England's Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali before the match. Reuters
England players celebrate after clinching victory. PA
England players celebrate. PA
England celebrate victory. PA
England players celebrate on the balcony at Lord's. PA
Jos Buttler of England celebrates running out Martin Guptill. Getty