Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has made an appeal to his fans in Pakistan to come forward and help India in tackling the ongoing coronavirus crisis. India on Saturday recorded 3,46,786 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike since the pandemic broke out last year. According to the official data issued by the government, the country recorded 2,624 new deaths due to COVID-19 in the last 24 hours.

"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 said in a video on his YouTube channel. The former Pakistan pacer also expressed solidarity with citizens of India and said "we must become each other`s support" in these testing times amid the pandemic.