Bangladesh: Ex-cricket captain tests positive for virus

DHAKA, Bangladesh

Bangladeshi cricketer-turned-lawmaker Mashrafe Bin Mortaza tested positive for COVID-19.

The popular sportsman, regarded as one of the country’s most successful cricket captains, was feeling unwell and had a fever for the past few days, his personal assistant Mohammad Shakil told Anadolu Agency on Saturday.

“His sample was sent for testing yesterday and we received the result today. Mashrafe is in isolation now at his home in Dhaka and being treated there. Another sample has also been sent for the second phase of the COVID-19 test,” he said.

The ex-cricketer was actively participating in relief activities in his home constituency since the coronavirus outbreak began in Bangladesh.

Mortaza recently sold one of his favorite bracelets for 4.2 million Bangladeshi takas (about $50,000) in an online auction to raise funds for those affected by the pandemic.

He represented Bangladesh in 36 Tests, 220 One Day Internationals, and 54 Twenty20 International matches.

He led the team in the 2019 Cricket World Cup, a year after being elected to the country’s parliament.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh reported 37 more fatalities and 3,240 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday.

The country’s death toll now stands at 1,425 and the overall case count has moved up to 108,775, according to the Health Ministry.