Prolific Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has bought Bangladesh batsman Mushfiqur Rahim’s bat which he had put up for auction to raise money for those affected by the coronavirus, ESPNcricinfo has reported.

Mushfiqur had scored 200 against Sri Lanka with the bat during a Test match in Galle back in 2013.

“The philanthropic work which you are doing for your country is splendid,” Afridi said in a video posted by Mushfiqur on his Twitter account. “Real life heroes do such things. We are going through a critical phase and need each other during such times.”

The Pakistani batsman added that he will remember the love and support he got from the people of Bangladesh. “I want to be a part of your journey by purchasing the bat.”

Thanks for your support brother ✊✊✊ pic.twitter.com/QeLiJBx0nY

— Mushfiqur Rahim (@mushfiqur15) May 15, 2020

“Shahid Afridi bought my bat on behalf of his foundation,” Mushfiqur said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “I feel privileged and honoured that someone like him has joined our great cause. We had to suspend the auction due to some fraud bidders, which was unexpected.”

The Bangladeshi batsman added that the Afridi contacted him after seeing the news of the auction and sent him a letter stating that he was interested in buying the memorabilia for $20,000, which Was almost BDT1.68 million.

He thanked everyone who was concerned particularly his teammate Tamim Iqbal, who “helped him a lot in this regard.”