The Bangladesh Cricket Board official said on Wednesday that they could not arrange the traditional Victory Day cricket match this year due to coronavirus pandemic.

Even though the former players did not have the chance to celebrate the day in their usual traditional way this year as the victory day cricket was not on the cards many Bangladesh cricketers did not forget to share the joy of the day with their fans by taking the social media to pay their respect to the martyrs and freedom fighters.

The Victory Day cricket match was first organised in 1972 in memory of the Liberation War martyrs and has since been an occasion for former cricketers to regroup and play cricket -- not for winning, rather to remember the sacrifice of the martyrs.

"We could not arrange the Victory Day cricket match this year keeping in mind the health safety of the participants amid the coronavirus pandemic. I personally am missing playing in this exhibition match as this used to be an occasion for us to be reunited and enjoy with many former cricketers," said former Bangladesh captain and the BCB's cricket operations chairman Akram Khan.

The exhibition cricket match, played between two sides -- Shaheed Mushtaq XI and Shaheed Jewel XI -- used to be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur in recent years.

Bangladesh former national skipper Mushfiqur Rahim said that scoring runs for his motherland is the proudest moment of his life.

"We celebrate victories on the field every now and then, but none would've been possible without the victory we achieved on December 16, 1971. Every ball I face, or every run that I score, I do it with pride because I represent my nation. I can proudly wave my flag and say I am a PROUD BANGLADESHI. Happy victory day motherland. Salute to all the freedom fighters," wrote Bangladesh wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqu Rahim on his Facebook page.

Former Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, who is also an elected Member of Parliament (MP) from Narail-2, also paid his respect towards the 'brave martyrs of 71'.

"It is not just a flag for me; this is my existence, my feeling, my love. I will want to return under the shadow of this flag even if I die. I am proud of being a Bangladeshi. My humble respect and love for all the brave martyrs of '71," wrote Mashrafe posting a picture of Bangladesh flag on his Facebook page.