Time to be a human, not Hindu, Muslim: Shoaib Akhtar’s appeal to Pakistan amid coronavirus

Tags: Pakistan, Shoaib Akhtar

Published on: Mar 24, 2020

With the coronavirus pandemic sparing no country, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has appealed to people to help each other out irrespective of religion and economic status. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Akhtar asked his fans to take the issue seriously and refrain from social contact as much as possible.

"Request all my fans all across the globe. Coronavirus is a global crisis and we have to think as a global force, rise above religion. Lockdown is happening so that the virus does not spread. If you are doing interaction and meeting in places, it will not help," Akhtar said.

"If you are hoarding things, please think about the daily wage workers. Stores are empty. What is the guarantee that you will live after three months? Think about the daily wage worker, how will he feed his family? Think about people, time to be a human, not Hindu, Muslim. People will have to help each other, collect funds. Stop hoarding.

"Rich will still survive; how will the poor survive? Have faith. We are living like animals, live like humans. Try to be helpful, please stop storing stuff. It is the time we look after each other. No time to be divided, we have to live as humans," he added.

In an earlier video that was also posted on the former fast bowler’s YouTube channel, Akhtar blamed China for the virus that has infected numerous countries around the world. "I don't understand why you have to eat things like bats, drink their blood and urine and spread some virus across the globe...I'm talking about the Chinese people. They have put the world at stake. I really don't understand how you can eat bats, dogs, and cats. I'm really angry," Akhtar has stated.

"The whole world is at risk now. The tourism industry has been hit, the economy is badly affected and the whole world is going towards a lockdown. I'm not against the people of China but I'm against the law of animals. I understand this may be your culture but this is not benefitting you now, it is killing humanity. I'm not saying you boycott the Chinese but there has to be some law. You cannot go on and eat anything and everything," he further said.

It may be noted that Coronavirus originated in China's Wuhan city. Since then, it has spread to 100 nations and has killed over 13,000. In Pakistan, nearly 800 coronavirus cases have been reported so far while five people have died.

Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called off the Pakistan Super League (PSL) owing to the spread of the virus. Karachi Kings and England opener Alex Hales had displayed symptoms of coronavirus after returning to London following his participation in the PSL. Meanwhile, Pakistan also postponed the scheduled ICC World Test Championship Test and one-off ODI against Bangladesh. Cricketing tournaments across the world have been put off in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic while IPL and 2020 Tokyo Olympics are also under threat.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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