After Zafar Sarfaraz, another Pakistan cricketer Riaz Sheikh loses his life to COVID-19

Riaz Sheikh played 43 first-class games and he was a brilliant leg-spinner who never made to the national team.

Published - 02 Jun 2020, 18:17 IST | Updated - 02 Jun 2020, 18:17 IST

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Coronavirus pandemic has become a nightmare for every human being across the globe. With every passing day, the death toll is increasing and researchers have failed in developing any vaccination so far.

Meanwhile, Pakistan first-class cricketer Riaz Sheikh has also lost his life due to the novel coronavirus. Rashid Latif, the former Pakistan skipper informed his fans and followers about the same through Twitter.

So far, more than 6 million people across the world have been tested COVID-19 positive and 377,971 people have lost their lives in the battle against the pandemic. Earlier, in April, Zafar Sarfaraz, who was a cricketer by profession, also passed away at the age of 50 due to the same reason. Recently, Taufeeq Umar, the former Pakistan player also revealed that he has tested COVID-19 positive and at the moment, he is in self-isolation.

Cricketing fraternity pays tribute to Riaz Sheikh

Rashid Latif took to his Twitter handle and shared the news with the fans. He also gave a caption to his post that was written in Urdu. Later on, Dr Nauman Niaz, the director of PTV sports, also expressed grief over Sheikh’s death.

Niaz said that Sheikh was a fine spinner, who grabbed 116 wickets in his 43 first-class games. He added that he had spent good time with Sheikh and the cherishing memories still hold a big place in his heart.

His post read, “Riaz Sheikh, cricket passionate turned to right arm leg-spin bowling & picked 116 wickets in 43 matches with four fivers, twice ten wickets in a match with the best of 8-60. He played cricket, he loved it. Memories we have. He was 51.”

Afterwards, many the fans and Pakistani cricketers like Ajaz Cheema and Sarfaraz Ahmed shared their sorrow over the demise of Sheikh. 51-year-old Sheikh was working as a mentor of young cricketers in coach in the Moin Khan Cricket Academy.

Here are the tweets:

إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ ہمارے قریبی ساتھی کرکٹر ریاض شیخ خالق حقیقی سے جا ملے ۔ اللہ تعالی ان کے درجات بلند فرمائے اور آپ لوگوں سے درخواست ہے کہ انکی مغفرت کے لیئے دعا کریں آمین ۔ pic.twitter.com/xjsVFjX3zh
— Rashid Latif 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) June 2, 2020