Shoaib Akhtar donates the Shah Rukh Khan-signed KKR helmet for COVID-19 relief in Pakistan

The Coronavirus pandemic has taken more than 3 lakh lives so far across the world. Almost 180 countries are suffering from the virus and along with the frontline workers, the cricketers, celebrities, politicians and businessman among many have come forward to tackle the current situation. Pakistan is also facing a lot of issues with almost 39,000 cases registered so far.

Even their cricketers, former and current, are somehow making efforts to help the poor and needy people during these tough times. While some of them are distributing food and essentials to take care of the people, few are collecting funds by auctioning their cricket memorabilia. Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has also joined the bandwagon and has donated his Shah Rukh Khan signed KKR helmet.

The Rawalpindi Express had won the Man of the Match in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. Akhtar had picked four wickets in the game against the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and was rewarded for his efforts. During the first few seasons, the KKR co-owner and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh used to gift the golden coloured helmet to the player of the match and Akhtar was one of the recipients.

Pakistan Tennis player revealed the news on Twitter

Pakistan’s top Tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi is running ‘Stars Against Hunger’ cause to help the poor people during this pandemic. He has been trying to mobilise the athletes as a part of his relief efforts for the financially affected people in this period. And Shoaib Akhtar did his bit by donated his most-prized memorabilia.

Aisam-ul-Haq took to Twitter to thank the former cricketer for his kind gesture and wrote, “Thank You @shoaib100mph Bhai for donating the most prized memorabilia; a helmet signed by @iamsrk he won 15 years back in IPL while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders and was declared the man of the match. #StarsAgainstHunger
#HungerFreePakistan.”

As far as Shoaib Akhtar is concerned, he played three matches in the IPL 2008 which is also the only season when the Pakistan players were allowed to participate in the league.