Top Bangladeshi cricketers, including ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal, veteran Mushfiqur Rahim have decided to donate half of their monthly salaries to help continue the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in the country. 

BCB's cricket operations and national team manager Sabbir Khan Shafin on Wednesday (March 25) confirmed that an amount of 31 lakh (after tax deductions) will be pooled from the players' salaries towards the government's relief fund to tackle the deadly outbreak. 

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"The outbreak of Coronavirus is also increasing in Bangladesh," reads a joint statement shared by captain Iqbal on the behalf of 27 cricketers, including 17 centrally contracted ones. "We, the cricketers, are trying to aware people in social media to take necessary steps to prevent this pandemic...we are 27 cricketers giving half of our monthly salaries to help against coronavirus. After excluding the tax the amount might be approximately 25 lakh around."

Tamim then urged the people of Bangladesh to practise social distancing and take all other necessary precautionary measures. 

"If we can take the responsibilities and try to make contribution wholeheartedly rather than criticizing others, then we can win the war against coronavirus. Everyone, please stay home, stay safe. Be well and keep our country safe," he added. 

Originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December last year, the COVID-19 has infected more than three lakh people across the globe, claiming as many as 16,000 lives so far. 

The crisis has also led to global suspension of immediate international and domestic cricket fixtures. 

(Inputs from India Today)