Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza tests positive for coronavirus

All-rounder among three cricketers in country who revealed they have contracted the virus

Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has tested positive for coronavirus. Reuters

Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza and two other players revealed they have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam and former opener Nafees Iqbal were the other two who revealed their positive results.

Mortaza, who stepped down as the ODI captain in March but remains available for selection, announced the news on social media late on Saturday.

"Today my Covid-19 results came as positive. Everyone please pray for my quick recovery," Mortaza wrote in his post.

"The number of infected people has now crossed one lakh [100,000]. We all have to become more careful. Let's all stay at home, and not get out unless it is necessary. I am abiding by the protocol at home."

Mortaza, also a member of parliament, had been active in helping people during the pandemic, particularly in his hometown and constituency Narail, west of the capital Dhaka.

Nafees, the elder brother of Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal, played 11 Tests and 16 ODIs for his country and is currently a domestic coach.

"Ten days ago I was feeling feverish. For two days my body temperature was high. I lost my appetite, felt very weak," Nafees was quoted as saying by AFP.

"Then I gave sample for the test and the result came that I am Covid-19 positive."

Left arm spinner Nazmul, who took part in virus aid work in his hometown of Narayanganj, said he received his results on Saturday.

"I don't know how I got it. My parents also tested positive along with me," the 28-year-old was quoted as saying by AFP.

Bangladesh has confirmed over 108,000 infections and more than 1,400 deaths from the coronavirus so far.

Earlier, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi revealed he had contracted the virus. He too was involved in charity work on the ground before being struck by Covid-19.

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Biggest sports stadiums in the world

20. The Bukit Jalil National Stadium near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has a seating capacity of 87,411, and is the 20th biggest sports stadium on earth. AFP

The Bukit Jalil National Stadium near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during the 21st South East Asian Games. Allsport

19. The Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, has a capacity of 87,451. AFP

The Jordan-Hare Stadium during the game between the Auburn Tigers and the LSU Tigers in Auburn, Alabama. AFP

18. The Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida can host 88,548. Wikimediacommons

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17. The Wembley stadium in London is the epicentre of English football with a capacity of exactly 90,000. Getty

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16. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, has a capacity of 90,888. AFP

An NCAA match between the Michigan Wolverines and UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California. The venue has been deemed a 'National Historic Landmark'. Getty

15. The Cotton Bowl Stadium at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, USA, has a capacity of 92,100. Wikimediacommons

The Cotton Bowl in Texas, USA. Wikimediacommons

14. The Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, USA, can host 92,746. AFP

The Sanford Stadium during the game between Georgia Bulldogs and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Athens, Georgia. AFP

13. The Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, can seat 94,736. Getty

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12. The Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, is currently the biggest football venue in the world with a capacity of 99,354. Getty

The Camp Nou ahead of the Champions League semi-final between Barcelona and Liverpool in 2019. Getty

11. The Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia is the second biggest cricket venue in the world, with a capacity of 100,024. Wikimediacommons

The Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the most iconic venues in the world. Getty

10. The Darrel K Royal Stadium in Austin, Texas, is the 10th largest stadium in the world with a seating capability of 100,119. Wikimediacommons

The DKR-TM Stadium in 2011 during the match between Texas Longhorns and Kansas Jayhawks. Wikimediacommons

9. The Bryant–Denny Stadium, at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, USA, can seat 101,821. Wikimediacommons

The Bryant-Denny Stadium during an Alabama football game against the Tennessee Volunteers. Wikimediacommons

8. The Tiger Stadium, located in Baton Rouge on the campus of Louisiana State University, has a capacity of 102,321. Wikimediacommons

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7. The Neyland Stadium at Knoxville, Tennessee, can seat 102,455. Wikimediacommons

Tennessee Volunteers before the start of their game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, which is the seventh biggest stadium in the world. Getty

6. The Kyle Field at College Station, Texas, has a capacity of 102,733. Wikimediacommons

The Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, during the 2015 season. Wikimediacommons

5. The Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, USA, has a capacity of 102,780. AFP

The Ohio Stadium at the Ohio State University in Columbus is the fifth largest stadium in the world. Alamy Stock Photo

4. The Beaver Stadium, home of the Penn State Nittany Lions, in Pennsylvania, USA. Its capacity is 106,572. Alamy Stock Photo

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3. Michigan Stadium is the American football stadium at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. It is the largest stadium in the United States, the third largest in the world with a capacity of 107,601. Alamy Stock Photo

Aerial view of the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, USA. AFP

2. The Sardar Patel Stadium in Gujarat, India, is the world's biggest cricket stadium. The venue in Ahmedabad has a capacity of 110,000 and was inaugurated by US President Donald Trump in February. AFP

The Sardar Patel Stadium in Gujarat is the second largest stadium in the world. AFP

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