Published 23:12 IST, September 17th 2023
Sri Lankan groundsmen rejoice as they receive massive gift from Jay Shah
Despite the persistent rain interruptions that plagued the Asia Cup 2023 hosted in Sri Lanka, these individuals demonstrated unwavering commitment.
- SportFit
- 2 min read
Jay Shah, the president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), expressed his admiration on Sunday for the exceptional work of the 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.
3 things you need to know
- Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first against India
- India bowled superbly to clean Sri Lanka up for just 50 runs
- Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan then finished the chase in 6.1 overs
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.
Image: Hotstar
Updated 23:13 IST, September 17th 2023