Azhar Ali puts up bat and jersey for auction to raise funds for COVID-19 workers

Azhar Ali puts up bat and jersey for auction: The Pakistani captain has come forward to raise funds in these testing times.

Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali has become the latest cricketer to come forward to raise fund for COVID-19 workers, who are working tirelessly in these testing times.

Most recently, Bangladesh wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim had put up his bat and India wicket-keeper batsman Lokesh Rahul had put up his equipment for auction in a bid to gather some financial assistance for workers in their respective countries.

Ali, who led Pakistan in their first Test against Bangladesh at home in February, has announced details of the auction via a Twitter video posted on his account yesterday.

Azhar Ali puts up bat and jersey for auction

It is worth mentioning that Ali has put up the bat with which he scored a career-best 302* (469) against West Indies in Dubai in 2016. In addition to the same, the 35-year old player is also auctioning his victorious ICC Champions Trophy 2017 jersey.

“I put two of my closest belongings on auction with base price of 1 million PKR each to support people suffering due to ongoing crisis. Auction starts now & will close on 11:59 PM 05May20. The shirt is from 2017 Champions Trophy which we won, it has the signature of all the players which were present in the squad.

“Both these things are close to my heart but if it can be used in the difficult times for the benefit of the people I will more than happy,” Ali was quoted as saying in the video.

Pakistan were slated to host Bangladesh for the second Test and a one-off ODI this month but both the matches are among the many matches which have been postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic.