Azhar Ali auctions bat, 2017 Champions Trophy jersey to fight COVID-19 pandemic

Azhar Ali auctions triple-hundred bat, 2017 Champions Trophy jersey

Pakistan Test captain Azhar Ali has put up his bat with which he had used during his Test triple ton against West Indies and 2017 Champions Trophy jersey to raise funds to fight COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has claimed more than 300 people and infected over 14,000 in Pakistan. 

The auction starts at 10 lakh Pakistani rupees each and will remain open till 5 May. The amount generated will be donated towards fighting coronavirus in the country. 

Ali took to Twitter and posted a video captioning "I put 2 of my closest belongings on auction with a 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," said Ali in the video. "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," he added. The jersey has the autograph of all the players from the squad.

Cricketers from across the world, including India skipper Virat Kohli and former South Africa captain, have put up their cricketing gears for auction to generate funds to combat this deadly disease. COVID-19 pandemic has killed over 2.1 lakhs globally and has infected more than 3 million worldwide.