Jay Shah, the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), expressed his admiration on Sunday for the exceptional work of the Sri Lankan groundsmen and curators in Colombo and Kandy. Despite the persistent rain interruptions that plagued the Asia Cup 2023 hosted in Sri Lanka, these individuals demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment.
Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj handed his USD 5,000 player-of-the-match cash trophy to the Sri Lankan groundstaff who toiled diligently during the rain-soaked Asia Cup.
“This cash prize goes to the groundsmen. They deserve it fully, this tournament wouldn’t have been possible without them,” Siraj said at the post-match presentation after India’s 10-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the final.
Siraj bowled a spectacular performance in which he claimed four wickets in the fourth over en route to a career-best 6/21, assisting India in bowling out Sri Lanka for a meagre 50 in the final.
Sri Lankan groundsmen get Rs. 42 lakh in cash prize
Facing numerous challenges due to the inclement weather, the ground staff and curators worked tirelessly to ensure that the cricketing venues were in optimal playing condition once the rain subsided. Recognizing their remarkable efforts, the ACC decided to award a substantial cash prize of USD 50,000 (Rs. 42 lakh) to the pitch curators and groundsmen responsible for maintaining the venues in Kandy and Colombo.
Jay Shah took to his official Twitter account to share this heartwarming announcement, acknowledging the crucial role played by these unsung heroes in overcoming the adversities posed by the weather and ensuring the tournament’s success.
Groundsmen, the real heroes of Asia Cup 2023
Furthermore, the Asia Cup final encountered a 40-minute delay on Sunday due to rain. However, despite the initial setback, the match proceeded, concluding with India securing a resounding 10-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. Mohammed Siraj’s exceptional performance, where he took 6 wickets for 21 runs, earned him the prestigious Player of the Match award.
In a heartwarming gesture, during the presentation ceremony, Mohammed Siraj pledged to donate his Player of the Match cash prize of USD 5,000 to a charitable cause. After the game, he was even seen sharing a heartwarming moment with the grounds staff.
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