Mushfiqur Rahim, the Bangladesh batsman, is set to auction the bat with which he scored his maiden double century in Test cricket. It’s because the 32-year-old has decided to come forward for the ones affected in the massive coronavirus pandemic. Mushfiqur was the first Tigers’ batter to get a Test double when he accomplished the feat against Sri Lanka at Galle back in 2013.

On the back of the knock in the first match of the series, Bangladesh eked out a drew after fetching a first-innings lead. The bat has a special place in his heart, but he understands the need to lend his helping hand in the COVID fight and make the sacrifices.

I had special liking for this bat: Mushfiqur Rahim

“Definitely, the bat is very special to me because it is attached to history. Not everyone can become the first double centurion for his country. I had special liking for this bat. But there is nothing more important than human life and so I have decided to put it into the auction,” Mushfiqur was quoted as saying to the reporters on Sunday, April 19.

“If through this sacrifice I can help one or two people than that will be my biggest achievement. If I find a good response in the auction for the bat than I have got few more things that I will put up in the auction. I don’t think there is nothing important than helping out people during their time of distress,” the Bogra-born added.

Mushfiqur is the only Bangladesh batsman with as many as three double centuries. In 2018 and 2020 versus Zimbabwe, he got the other two 200 plus scores. He also has the highest individual Test score of 219* for his country. Of later, Mushfiqur toppled Tamim Iqbal as the all-time leading run-scorer for Bangladesh in Test when he scored 203* against Zimbabwe in Dhaka.

Moreover, Mushfiqur donated half of his cricket salary during the critical situation. In Bangladesh, the coronavirus cases have gone up to 2,456 with the death tolls up to 91. Like most other nations, even the Asian country is going though a lockdown period as a precautionary measure.