Breaking: Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi tests Covid-19 positive

Guwahati: Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi, who once held the record for the fastest One Day International (ODI) cricket century, has become the latest celebrity to be infected with the Covid-19.

"I've been feeling unwell since Thursday; my body had been aching badly. I've been tested and unfortunately, I'm COVID positive. Need prayers for a speedy recovery, InshaAllah", the former Pakistan cricket captain tweeted moments earlier.

Earlier, Afridi's cricketing colleagues Taufeeq Umar and Zafar Sarfaraz had also tested positive for the pathogen. Scotland's Majid Haq and South Africa's Solo Nqweni are the other cricketers who have contracted the deadly virus.

It is pertinent to mention here that Afridi has tested positive at a time when his foundation is busy carrying out Covid-19 relief work. Afridi has been doing social work during the Covid-19 pandemic via 'Shahid Afridi Foundation'. Afridi has also asked former Indian team cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh to tweet videos urging people to donate to his foundation. The swashbuckling allrounder has arranged ration and other commodities for people who have been affected due to the coronavirus-triggered lockdown.

Earlier in May, Afridi had bought a cricket bat auctioned by Bangladesh wicket keeper Mushfiqur Rahim in a bid to raise funds to help fight the pandemic.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said that former Pakistan captain Afridi has decided to join the noble cause by buying the bat on behalf of his charity foundation for $20,000. "Mushfiqur Rahim has found a buyer! Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has joined the good cause, picking up the bat on behalf of his charity foundation", read a tweet sent out from the ICC's official handle.

According to worldometers.info, Pakistan has reported 132,405 cases of the Covid-19, and 2,551 deaths. It is the 15th worst-hit country, and is just behind Mexico in the number of cases.

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