Mumbai: Ashraf Chaudhury, a familiar face at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has been admitted to a hospital in Mumbai with issues regarding kidney and other health issues. He used to sit near the dressing room staircase, to fix and repair bats of some of the stars of world cricket which include India’s Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Australia’s Steve Smith, South Africa’s Faf du Plessis, West Indies’ Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard.
With COVID-19 hitting hard, Ashraf’a business has hit rock bottom as his family is facing problems in arranging the money for treatment. The situation has worsened after the IPL has been shifted to UAE. However, in this emergency situation, Prashant Jethmalani, a friend who knows Ashraf for the past 15 years is helping him in the initial funding but stated more money is needed.
“His situation is not good. There was some kidney stone-related problem, which has resurfaced again and there are other complications too. The lockdown means his business took a major hit as cricket has completely come to standstill in the city. He doesn’t have funds; whatever he has, it’s over,” Jethmalani was quoted as saying to the Indian Express.
“We managed around two lakhs but we need more. We also want to raise some funds for him for his sustenance in the near future.” Since 1920, Ashraf is the owner of small shop M Ashraf Bros., opposite Meteo Cinema in Mumbai. Back in 2016, Ashraf has donated a pack of 16 bats to the West Indies players without charging them a penny, when the Windies players had a clash with their board.
“Nobody is asking for bats these days and with IPL happening abroad, there will be no work for Ashraf. Sad part is that many players owe him money but they haven’t paid him yet. Ashraf till date has never asked money from them,” Jethmalani said. He also believes that this is the time when cricketers should come up and help him.
