Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam has announced that he will donate the prize money from every man of the match award he wins to the underprivileged in his home area of Panchagarh. The 24-year-old made the declaration following his match-winning performance in the second T20I against Afghanistan in Sharjah on 3 October.
Shoriful was named man of the match after an all-round display that helped Bangladesh secure the series with one match to spare. With the ball, he took one wicket in four tight overs, conceding only 13 runs. Later, in a tense chase where Bangladesh lost eight wickets, Shoriful played a crucial cameo, striking two boundaries and hitting a four off the first ball of the final over to ensure victory by two wickets.
Posting on social media the following day, Shoriful wrote: “Series won with one match to spare. Great effort by the team, congratulations to everyone. From today, I am taking a small initiative, in all international and domestic matches, whenever I am man of the match, I will donate the award money to the underprivileged in my area, Insha’Allah. Pray that Allah grants me the ability to do this regularly.”
For this match, Shoriful received 50,000 Afghanis as man of the match, approximately 89,000 BDT and has pledged the full amount to local needy families.
This is not the first time Shoriful has demonstrated concern for his birthplace. He has previously spoken out against social issues such as drug abuse in Panchagarh and has advocated for a modern 1,000-bed hospital in the district.
Shoriful hails from Maumari village in Dondopal Union, Debiganj Upazila, Panchagarh, and was a key member of Bangladesh’s 2020 Under-19 World Cup-winning team. He has so far represented Bangladesh in 12 Tests, 40 ODIs, and 55 T20Is.
Bangladesh will play the third T20I against Afghanistan on 5 October, when it remains to be seen whether Shoriful will feature again or sit out.
