Mashrafe Mortaza, Former Bangladesh Captain, Tests Positive for COVID-19

Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has tested positive for COVID-19  on Saturday (June 20).

Mortaza was unwell for the last couple of days and got tested on Friday. He is currently in isolation at home.

"Today my Covid-19 results came as positive. Everyone please pray for my quick recovery," Mortaza, who has played 36 Tests, 220 ODIs and 54 T20Is for Bangladesh, wrote on his Facebook page on Saturday evening.

"The number of infected has now crossed one lakh. 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. Rather than panic, we need to raise awareness about corona."

Mortaza, who is also a member of parliament, resigned from captaincy in March this year. He has played 36 Tests and 220 ODIs apart from 54 T20Is, and is widely credited for Bangladesh's turnaround into a threatening ODI team.

Mortaza had recently said the Bangladesh Cricket Board tried to push him into retirement and was left hurt by the "lack of respect" towards his achievements.

"Honestly speaking, it seemed that there was a rush to bid me farewell and it was certainly hurting," Mortaza had told Cricbuzz.

Mortaza is the second high profile cricketer from Asia to be infected by the virus in recent times. Pakistan's Shahid Afridi was also tested positive for COVID-19 on June 13.

The number of COVID-19 positive cases in Bangladesh stands at 108,775 with 1425 death.