Soumya's bat, Taskin's ball auctioned

Bangladesh batsman Soumya Sarkar and pace bowler Taskin Ahmed have successfully auctioned their bat and ball respectively on Sunday evening to raise fund for the affected due to the coronavirus pandemic. Soumya’s bat was sold for Taka 450,000 while Taskin got Taka 400,000 for his ball.

Both Soumya and Taskin were present during the live auction on Facebook and said their main intention was to inspire people to come in help of others during the ongoing crucial epoch of coronavirus epidemic.

The bat auctioned by Soumya was used to hit Bangladesh's fastest-ever Test ton during the Bangladesh tour of New Zealand last year. Taskin auctioned the ball that got him a hat-trick against Sri Lanka in 2017.

An individual from Saudi Arab and another from Kuwait had placed high bids for the mementos but host of the live show announced that a local bank came out on top in the end. The bank had requested to remain anonymous for the time being.

 Taskin speaking of the ball said, “The hat-trick ball is very special to me. Not only the hat trick one but the every five-wicket haul ball is very special to me and when I saw many people coming forward with their favourite things. So I also thought to come forward with one of my favourite things during this coronavirus pandemic situation. So I came forward with this ball.”

Soumya echoed the same sentiment adding that he got lot of memories attached with it as through it he scored his maiden Test hundred against New Zealand.

 “A century is a big thing for any batsman. I was practicing the night before going down to bat against New Zealand. So that night 'SS' the sponsor of my bat gave me two bats. So the next day I went to play in Hamilton with that new bat,’’ said Soumya.