Irfan Pathan lends financial support to groundsmen & staff workers of various Indian states amid COVID-19 crisis

As per the latest development, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has come forward to help ground staff members & workers of various Indian states amid the COVID-19 crisis. The second wave of coronavirus brought cricket activities in India to a standstill. While the Ranji Trophy was called off for the first time in 87 years, the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 was suspended midway.

Although IPL 2021 resumed in September, the remaining matches were shifted to the United Arab Emirates. In fact, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was also forced to shift the high-voltage ICC T20 World Cup 2021 to UAE and Oman. The change in these fixtures financially hampered the groundsmen and staff members of various Indian stadiums.

Irfan Pathan’s kind gesture

Owing to the same, Irfan Pathan decided to lend a helping hand by giving sums of money to groundsmen of various states. It’s indeed a great gesture from the former Indian international and he’s earning praises for the same. This isn’t the first time, Irfan has lent a helping hand. Even during the pandemic, he and his brother Yusuf Pathan were trying everything possible to help people in different ways.

Meanwhile, India’s domestic cricket calendar will be busy in the 2021-22 season with several important series and fixtures being in the pipeline. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) will run from October 20 to November 12, 2021; while Vijay Hazare Trophy (One Day) will take place from February 23, 2022 to March 26, 2022.

Ranji Trophy will see 38 teams in action. As per plans, as many as 2127 games will be played across various age groups in the men’s and women’s categories. Hence, domestic cricketers in India must buckle up to unleash their best show over the 22 yards. Notably, BCCI has decided to hike the match fee for domestic cricketers. The cricketers who participated in the 2019-20 season will also get a 50 percent additional match fee as compensation.

Speaking of Irfan Pathan, the 2007 T20 World Cup winner announced retirement from all forms of cricket in January 2020. He, however, continues to be associated with the game in different forms. As of now, he’s serving as a commentator in the UAE leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. The former left-arm fast bowler is also expected to be part of the commentary panel in the upcoming high-voltage T20 World Cup.