Tamim Iqbal’s elder brother Nafees Iqbal diagnosed with COVID-19

Nafees Iqbal, the elder brother of Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim Iqbal, has been tested positive for the ungodly COVID-19 virus. However, Nafees, who’s also a former Tigers’ cricketer, has been reported to be in a stable condition, much to his relief. The situation in Bangladesh due to the coronavirus pandemic hasn’t been a pleasant one by any stretch of the imagination.

As far the numbers until June 19, a total of 1,05,535 people have been diagnosed with the virus. Until now, 42,945, which accounts for over 40.49 per cent of the infected, have made recovery. But the virus has also accounted for the lives of 1,388. The virus, which originated in the Wuhan city of China, has been wreaking havoc for over three months and the situation has only worsened.

As far as Nafees, who has played the role of a coach and manager, in Bangladesh’s domestic cricket, is concerned, his health hasn’t deteriorated, reported by BDcritime. To counter the virus, experts have been iterating the importance, keeping oneself sanitised and maintaining social distance. A number of Bangladesh cricketers have also put forth the vitality of maintaining hygiene.

Nafees Iqbal’s career in brief  

Nafees made his international debut way back in 2003 in an ODI against England at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram. In the very next year, he forayed into Test cricket as well against New Zealand in Dhaka. However, his career could never take off despite him, having a bundle of talent. In his 27-match career, he notched four half-centuries and a century.

His top score of 121 came against Zimbabwe at Dhaka in January 2005. He also managed quite a few scores in the 30s and 40s, but failed to convert the starts. He last donned the national jersey in a Test against Sri Lanka at Bogra way back in 2006. In 11 Tests and 16 ODIs, Nafees racked up 518 and 309 runs respectively. On February 2018, he played his last competitive match.

In 2018, he also was a part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) support staff. He was there as Mustafizur Rahman’s translator. There he revealed how he managed to bond with the team members as well as Rohit Sharma’s spouse Ritika Sajdeh.