Star Online Report
Bangladesh ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, banned from all cricket for two years with one of those suspended, followed on the footsteps of teammate Mushfiqur Rahim to auction one of his favourite bats in order to raise fund for battling coronavirus crisis.
Mushfiqur Rahim had announced that he will auction the bat that he used to become Bangladesh’s first double centurion during a Test match against Sri Lanka in 2013. Shakib announced yesterday during a Facebook live that he will auction the bat that he used in the 2019 World Cup in England.
The Bangladesh all-rounder had a hugely successful World Cup on a personal level, setting numerous records despite Bangladesh failing to make it out of the league stage of the tournament. Shakib scored 606 runs in eight matches at an average of 86.57 and hit five fifties and two swashbuckling tons against England and West Indies.
“I had said before that I want to put up a bat for auction. I have decided to auction the bat I used in the 2019 World Cup. It’s a favourite bat of mine,” he said yesterday.
Along with the runs, he also picked up 11 wickets in the tournament to become the only player to score 600 runs and take 10 wickets in a single edition of a World Cup. His performances with the bat however drew admiration the world over. “I had a good World cup with the bat and ball. There were some good performances especially with the bat. I had used a single bat throughout the World Cup and even used tapes on it to get through games.
“It’s not that this bat has only been used at the World Cup. I have scored over 1500 runs with this bat and had used it prior to the tournament and after it a well. Although I like the bat a lot but I have decided to put it up for auction with the thought that maybe it can leave some contribution to forming a fund during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.”
Shakib asked cricket lovers to participate in the auction. “The auction is set to take place from tomorrow (22nd April) in the ‘auction for action’ Facebook page. The money raised will go to the Shakib Al Hasan foundation fund,” Shakib informed.
“This is a very special bat to me, but my people are even more special to me. Due to this crisis, I have finally decided to auction my SG bat,” Shakib later posted from his verified Facebook page.
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