'Must become each other's support' - Shoaib Akhtar extends support to India amidst Covid-19 crisis

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar has shared his thoughts on the coronavirus crisis in India by urging the masses to contribute to the ease of the affected individuals in whatever way possible.
'Must become each other's support' - Shoaib Akhtar extends support to India amidst Covid-19 crisis

India is in the throes of a deadly wave of the pandemic with the caseload and death toll increasing astronomically each day. For months, India had managed to evade the fatal clutches of the dreaded coronavirus but the health situation in the country has drastically taken a turn for the worse since the beginning of April.

Close to 350,000 new cases were reported on Saturday while an acute shortage of medical oxygen continues to wreak havoc in hospitals leading to health workers turning away critically ill patients. There are fears that the actual number of deaths occurring at the moment might be far greater than what is being reported given the chilling visuals of open spaces being converted into ad hoc crematoriums.

The alarming scenario recently saw India's prime minister calling a meeting with chief ministers of ten states to discuss the options available to utilise the existing resources and arrange support from other areas.

The grim developments in the neighbouring country have moved Akhtar to voice concerns on the fatality rate and hoped his nation could rise to extend a helping hand to India in these distressing times.

"India is really struggling with Covid-19. Global support needed. Health care system is crashing. It's a Pandemic, we are all in it together. Must become each other's support," he wrote in a tweet.

"It is impossible for any government to tackle the ongoing crisis. I appeal to my government and fans, to help India. India does need a lot of oxygen tanks. I request everyone to donate and raise funds for India and deliver oxygen tanks to them," Akhtar added in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.

Apart from the 'Rawalpindi Express', former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi offered to assist India through the platform of his charitable organisation. "Extremely saddened by upsetting news and videos coming from India. Please remember that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Shahid Afridi Foundation offers its support in this testing time," he tweeted.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan conveyed solidarity with the Covid-battered Indian people and reasserted the need to confront the challenge together.