West Indies batting legend Brian Lara on Wednesday (August 5) rubbished rumours claiming that he has tested positive for the novel Coronavirus.
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Taking to Instagram, Lara posted a lengthy note in which he urged people to not create 'sensationalism' in the name of COVID-19 pandemic.
The 51-year-old added that such misinformation can be detrimental as it can create panic and cause distress in a society which is already going through a lot this year.
"Hi everyone, I have read all the circulating rumours regarding me testing positive for the coronavirus and it is important I clarify the facts. Not only is this information false, it is also detrimental to spread such panic in a community already feeling the distress of the Covid situation.
"While you haven’t personally affected me, what causes concern is that spread of wrongful information is careless and causes unnecessary worry amongst a lot of people that would have been in my circle.
"This virus isn’t something we should be using in a negative manner to create sensationalism.
"I hope and pray that all of us remain safe because as is noticeable Covid-19 is going nowhere in the near future," Lara wrote.
Fondly known as the Prince of Trinidad, Brian Lara is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen to have played the game of cricket.
He represented West Indies in 131 Tests, scoring 11,953 runs at an average of 52.88 with 34 centuries and 48 fifties and holds the world of highest individual Test score (400 not out), First-Class score (501 not out).
The southpaw also proved his mettle in the limited-overs format, amassing 10,405 ODI runs from 299 games at an average and strike-rate of 40.48 and 79.51 respectively.
