The rapid spread of the novel coronavirus has dealt an unparalleled blow to the global economy since its first detection in China three months ago.

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting aviation, tourism, manpower, transport, financial, sports, and entertainment sectors all over the world. Governments around the globe are creating special funds with donations from different government and non-government organisations and financial institutions to combat the virus. Social media is now abuzz with the news of the donations made by global stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to fight the spread of the virus. The news of fund-raising by celebrity cricketers is doing the rounds as well. The Shane Warne Foundation and the Shahid Afridi Foundation have come forward to raise funds.

Bangladesh national team players have also stepped forwards to help the government to combat transmission of COVID-19. They have been conducting awareness campaigns on social media platforms since the outbreak of the virus. Now, they have been donating money to aid the government during the current crisis. In total, 27 cricketers have announced the donation of half of their monthly salaries to strengthen the government’s coronavirus prevention fund. Of them, 17 players are currently among the BCB’s centrally contracted players and 10 have played for the national team within the past six months. Together, they donated Tk. 30.15 lakh to the government.

The donors are Tamim Iqbal (Tk 325,00), Mushfiqur Rahim (Tk 310,000), Liton Kumar Das (Tk 137,500), Mehidy Hasan Miraj (Tk 137,500), Taijul Islam (Tk 125,000), Mohammad Mithun (Tk 100,000), Nazmul Hossain Shanto (Tk 75,000), Mominul Haque (Tk 165,000), Nayeem Hasan (Tk 50,000), Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi (Tk 50,000), Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury (Tk 50,000), Mahmudullah Riyad (Tk 215,000), Soumya Sarkar (Tk 150,000), Mustafizur Rahman (Tk 150,000), Mohammad Saifuddin (Tk 75,000), Afif Hossain (Tk 50,000), Mohammad Naim Sheikh (Tk 50,000), Shaiful Islam (Tk 150,000), Mashrafe bin Mortaza (Tk 225,000), Al Amin Hossain (Tk 75,000), Mehedi Hasan (Tk 50,000), Hasan Mahmud (Tk 50,000), Mohammad Saif Hassan (Tk 50,000), Yasir Ali Chowdhury Rabbi (Tk 50,000), Taskin Ahmed (Tk 50,000), Nasum Ahmed (Tk 50,000) and Aminul Islam Biplob (Tk 50,000).

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have also extended their helping hand to their governments. The SLC has donated 2.5 crore Lankan rupees to the Sri Lankan government’s special fund to contain the contagious virus. It has been learnt from sources that the Bangladesh Cricket Board is considering a similar move.

All forms of sports, including cricket and football, have been suspended for an indefinite period in the country to stem the outbreak.

“We have plans to help the government to address the coronavirus crisis. The matter is under discussion,” said BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury Shujan.

“We are now discussing the process. We'll let you know everything after a decision is taken in this regard,” he told The Independent.

“The safety and good health of the people are our biggest concern. The BCB always comes forward in such situations. We will take our decision soon,” he added. With a countrywide lockdown in mind, the government has declared a 10-day vacation in government organisations. The lockdown will come into effect from today and last till April 4.