Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has tested positive for coronavirus. Reuters
Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has tested positive for coronavirus. Reuters
Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has tested positive for coronavirus. Reuters
Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has tested positive for coronavirus. Reuters

Cricket

Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza tests positive for coronavirus

All-rounder among three cricketers in country who revealed they have contracted the virus

The National

June 21, 2020

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Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza and two other players revealed they have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam and former opener Nafees Iqbal were the other two who revealed their positive results.

Mortaza, who stepped down as the ODI captain in March but remains available for selection, announced the news on social media late on Saturday.

"Today my Covid-19 results came as positive. Everyone please pray for my quick recovery," Mortaza wrote in his post.

"The number of infected people has now crossed one lakh [100,000]. We all have to become more careful. Let's all stay at home, and not get out unless it is necessary. I am abiding by the protocol at home."

Mortaza, also a member of parliament, had been active in helping people during the pandemic, particularly in his hometown and constituency Narail, west of the capital Dhaka.

Nafees, the elder brother of Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal, played 11 Tests and 16 ODIs for his country and is currently a domestic coach.

"Ten days ago I was feeling feverish. For two days my body temperature was high. I lost my appetite, felt very weak," Nafees was quoted as saying by AFP.

"Then I gave sample for the test and the result came that I am Covid-19 positive."

Left arm spinner Nazmul, who took part in virus aid work in his hometown of Narayanganj, said he received his results on Saturday.

"I don't know how I got it. My parents also tested positive along with me," the 28-year-old was quoted as saying by AFP.

Bangladesh has confirmed over 108,000 infections and more than 1,400 deaths from the coronavirus so far.

Earlier, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi revealed he had contracted the virus. He too was involved in charity work on the ground before being struck by Covid-19.

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Biggest sports stadiums in the world

20. The Bukit Jalil National Stadium near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has a seating capacity of 87,411, and is the 20th biggest sports stadium on earth. AFP
20. The Bukit Jalil National Stadium near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has a seating capacity of 87,411, and is the 20th biggest sports stadium on earth. AFP
The Bukit Jalil National Stadium near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during the 21st South East Asian Games. Allsport
The Bukit Jalil National Stadium near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during the 21st South East Asian Games. Allsport
19. The Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, has a capacity of 87,451. AFP
19. The Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, has a capacity of 87,451. AFP
The Jordan-Hare Stadium during the game between the Auburn Tigers and the LSU Tigers in Auburn, Alabama. AFP
The Jordan-Hare Stadium during the game between the Auburn Tigers and the LSU Tigers in Auburn, Alabama. AFP
18. The Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida can host 88,548. Wikimediacommons
18. The Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida can host 88,548. Wikimediacommons
University of Central Florida Golden Knights against the University of Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. Getty
University of Central Florida Golden Knights against the University of Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. Getty
17. The Wembley stadium in London is the epicentre of English football with a capacity of exactly 90,000. Getty
17. The Wembley stadium in London is the epicentre of English football with a capacity of exactly 90,000. Getty
The Jacksonville Jaguars kick off their NFL match against Houston Texans at the Wembley Stadium in London. Getty
The Jacksonville Jaguars kick off their NFL match against Houston Texans at the Wembley Stadium in London. Getty
16. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, has a capacity of 90,888. AFP
16. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, has a capacity of 90,888. AFP
An NCAA match between the Michigan Wolverines and UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California. The venue has been deemed a 'National Historic Landmark'. Getty
An NCAA match between the Michigan Wolverines and UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California. The venue has been deemed a 'National Historic Landmark'. Getty
15. The Cotton Bowl Stadium at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, USA, has a capacity of 92,100. Wikimediacommons
15. The Cotton Bowl Stadium at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, USA, has a capacity of 92,100. Wikimediacommons
The Cotton Bowl in Texas, USA. Wikimediacommons
The Cotton Bowl in Texas, USA. Wikimediacommons
14. The Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, USA, can host 92,746. AFP
14. The Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, USA, can host 92,746. AFP
The Sanford Stadium during the game between Georgia Bulldogs and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Athens, Georgia. AFP
The Sanford Stadium during the game between Georgia Bulldogs and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Athens, Georgia. AFP
13. The Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, can seat 94,736. Getty
13. The Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, can seat 94,736. Getty
The Soccer City Stadium, also called the FNB Stadium, during the African Cup of Nations in Johannesburg. Allsport
The Soccer City Stadium, also called the FNB Stadium, during the African Cup of Nations in Johannesburg. Allsport
12. The Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, is currently the biggest football venue in the world with a capacity of 99,354. Getty
12. The Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, is currently the biggest football venue in the world with a capacity of 99,354. Getty
The Camp Nou ahead of the Champions League semi-final between Barcelona and Liverpool in 2019. Getty
The Camp Nou ahead of the Champions League semi-final between Barcelona and Liverpool in 2019. Getty
11. The Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia is the second biggest cricket venue in the world, with a capacity of 100,024. Wikimediacommons
11. The Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia is the second biggest cricket venue in the world, with a capacity of 100,024. Wikimediacommons
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the most iconic venues in the world. Getty
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the most iconic venues in the world. Getty
10. The Darrel K Royal Stadium in Austin, Texas, is the 10th largest stadium in the world with a seating capability of 100,119. Wikimediacommons
10. The Darrel K Royal Stadium in Austin, Texas, is the 10th largest stadium in the world with a seating capability of 100,119. Wikimediacommons
The DKR-TM Stadium in 2011 during the match between Texas Longhorns and Kansas Jayhawks. Wikimediacommons
The DKR-TM Stadium in 2011 during the match between Texas Longhorns and Kansas Jayhawks. Wikimediacommons
9. The Bryant–Denny Stadium, at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, USA, can seat 101,821. Wikimediacommons
9. The Bryant–Denny Stadium, at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, USA, can seat 101,821. Wikimediacommons
The Bryant-Denny Stadium during an Alabama football game against the Tennessee Volunteers. Wikimediacommons
The Bryant-Denny Stadium during an Alabama football game against the Tennessee Volunteers. Wikimediacommons
8. The Tiger Stadium, located in Baton Rouge on the campus of Louisiana State University, has a capacity of 102,321. Wikimediacommons
8. The Tiger Stadium, located in Baton Rouge on the campus of Louisiana State University, has a capacity of 102,321. Wikimediacommons
A night game in Tiger Stadium at the Louisiana State University. Wikimediacommons
A night game in Tiger Stadium at the Louisiana State University. Wikimediacommons
7. The Neyland Stadium at Knoxville, Tennessee, can seat 102,455. Wikimediacommons
7. The Neyland Stadium at Knoxville, Tennessee, can seat 102,455. Wikimediacommons
Tennessee Volunteers before the start of their game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, which is the seventh biggest stadium in the world. Getty
Tennessee Volunteers before the start of their game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, which is the seventh biggest stadium in the world. Getty
6. The Kyle Field at College Station, Texas, has a capacity of 102,733. Wikimediacommons
6. The Kyle Field at College Station, Texas, has a capacity of 102,733. Wikimediacommons
The Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, during the 2015 season. Wikimediacommons
The Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, during the 2015 season. Wikimediacommons
5. The Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, USA, has a capacity of 102,780. AFP
5. The Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, USA, has a capacity of 102,780. AFP
The Ohio Stadium at the Ohio State University in Columbus is the fifth largest stadium in the world. Alamy Stock Photo
The Ohio Stadium at the Ohio State University in Columbus is the fifth largest stadium in the world. Alamy Stock Photo
4. The Beaver Stadium, home of the Penn State Nittany Lions, in Pennsylvania, USA. Its capacity is 106,572. Alamy Stock Photo
4. The Beaver Stadium, home of the Penn State Nittany Lions, in Pennsylvania, USA. Its capacity is 106,572. Alamy Stock Photo
The Beaver Stadium during the NCAA college football game between Penn State and Michigan. Shutterstock
The Beaver Stadium during the NCAA college football game between Penn State and Michigan. Shutterstock
3. Michigan Stadium is the American football stadium at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. It is the largest stadium in the United States, the third largest in the world with a capacity of 107,601. Alamy Stock Photo
3. Michigan Stadium is the American football stadium at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. It is the largest stadium in the United States, the third largest in the world with a capacity of 107,601. Alamy Stock Photo
Aerial view of the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, USA. AFP
Aerial view of the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, USA. AFP
2. The Sardar Patel Stadium in Gujarat, India, is the world's biggest cricket stadium. The venue in Ahmedabad has a capacity of 110,000 and was inaugurated by US President Donald Trump in February. AFP
2. The Sardar Patel Stadium in Gujarat, India, is the world's biggest cricket stadium. The venue in Ahmedabad has a capacity of 110,000 and was inaugurated by US President Donald Trump in February. AFP
The Sardar Patel Stadium in Gujarat is the second largest stadium in the world. AFP
The Sardar Patel Stadium in Gujarat is the second largest stadium in the world. AFP
1. The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea. It is the largest stadium in the world, with a total capacity of 114,000. Shutterstock
1. The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea. It is the largest stadium in the world, with a total capacity of 114,000. Shutterstock
Performers during the Arirang mass games at the The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea.
Performers during the Arirang mass games at the The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea.
While you're here
Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
On Women's Day
Transgender report
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Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.

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