Daniel Vettori donates USD 5000 to lower-tier staff of BCB amid COVID-19 situation

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc across the globe in the past few months. Along with human existence, the coronavirus outbreak has also left the economy in shambles. Due to the absence of cricketing activities, the boards have incurred heavy losses amid these stern times.

With each passing day, the coronavirus positive cases are increasing at a significant rate. Considering the current scenario, there is no certainty whatsoever about the resumption of cricket. In the wake of the pandemic, cricket boards have been left with no choice but to resort to pay-cuts and layoffs.

Major boards have suffered a huge financial blow and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is no different. Amid the financial crunch, Bangladesh’s spin consultant and former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori has come forward to donate USD 5000 to the lower-tier staff of the BCB. It’s the lower-tier staff has suffered the most due to the COVID-19 debacle.

Daniel Vettori had joined Bangladesh backroom staff post 2019 World Cup

BCB officials, on Thursday, revealed about 400 third and fourth-grade staff have got financial support from Vettori and players. The BCB has also donated Tk 3.61 crore to help tackle the coronavirus crisis. Vettori is the highest-paid member of the BCB coaching staff, earning USD 250,000 for his 100-day contract. His tenure is tentatively going to end post the ICC T20 World Cup this year.

Along with Vettori and the board, Bangladesh internationals, as well as their U19 players and First-class cricketers, have stepped up to contribute in the fight against COVID-19 outbreak. The Cricket Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) has also come forward to aid in the battle against the pandemic.

Vettori had joined Bangladesh’s backroom staff after the 2019 World Cup when they sacked all the coaches. Vettori came in as a spin-bowling coach while Charl Langeveldt joined BCB as the team’s fast-bowling coach. While Langeveldt left the job in December to join Sout Africa’s coaching staff, Vettori has stayed with the team.

“Vettori has said that we should donate a specific part of his salary to the BCB’s low-income staff. He has officially informed the cricket operations committee,” Nizamuddin Chowdhury, the board’s CEO, had revealed to Dhaka-based Prothom Alo in May.