Afghanistan's star cricketer, Rashid Khan, has pledged to donate his entire match fees from the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India to aid the victims of the recent devastating earthquake in Afghanistan.
Deeply affected by the tragedy, Khan, a prominent figure in Afghan cricket, expressed his sorrow and commitment to support the affected communities. He stated, “I learned with great sadness about the tragic consequences of the earthquake that struck the western provinces (Herat, Farah, and Badghis) of Afghanistan. I am donating all of my #CWC23 match fees to help the affected people. Soon, we will be launching a fundraising campaign to call upon those who can support the people in need,” as mentioned on X.
The earthquake, registering a magnitude of 6.3, hit Afghanistan's western provinces last Saturday. Recognized as one of the most catastrophic earthquakes in recent times, the death toll reached 500, as reported by the Associated Press, citing a Taliban spokesperson.
The US Geological Survey pinpointed the quake's epicenter near Herat, which was subsequently hit by three strong aftershocks and several minor ones. Abdul Shakor Samadi, a resident of Herat, recounted experiencing at least five significant tremors around midday.
The earthquake's aftermath was grim, with over 2,000 fatalities and more than 9,000 injuries, as per a statement from the Taliban administration. This calamity has left many Afghans grappling with immense grief and trauma.
Rashid Khan's noble gesture was met with widespread appreciation online. One user commented, "The true Afghani legend, this guy. Go well, Rashid bhai!" while another added, "Great Gesture !! Prayers for everyone."
During their match, Bangladesh secured a victory over Afghanistan by 6 wickets on October 7. After being set to bat, Afghanistan was dismissed for 156, with Bangladesh subsequently achieving the target with ease.
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