Mohammed Siraj, the star performer in India’s victorious Asia Cup 2023 campaign, not only wowed cricket fans with his exceptional bowling but also touched hearts with his gesture of generosity. Following India’s resounding win over Sri Lanka in the final, Siraj dedicated his ‘Player of the Final’ cash prize to the dedicated ground staff who worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth conduct of matches amidst rain interruptions.
Known affectionately as ‘Miyan Magic’ by his fans, Siraj’s performance in the final match at the R Premadasa stadium in Sri Lanka was nothing short of spectacular. He bowled brilliantly, taking six wickets in just seven overs, and played a pivotal role in dismantling Sri Lanka’s innings, restricting them to a mere 50 runs.
After being named the ‘Player of the Final,’ Siraj expressed his gratitude to the ground staff for their hard work and dedication, which allowed the tournament to proceed despite multiple rain interruptions. He made the heartwarming announcement that his cash prize would go to these unsung heroes of cricket.
“This cash prize goes to the groundsmen. This tournament wouldn’t have been possible without them,” Siraj said, acknowledging the pivotal role played by the ground staff in ensuring the successful completion of the Asia Cup.
Reflecting on his outstanding bowling performance, Siraj humbly shared his insights. “No biryani here. Have been bowling well for a long time. Was missing the edges earlier. But found them today. The wicket was seaming earlier, but there was swing today. Thought that I will bowl fuller because of the swing. When there’s good bonding between fast bowlers, it’s helpful for the team… My best spell,” he remarked.
Earlier in the day, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced a well-deserved prize money of USD 50,000 for the dedicated curators and ground staff at Colombo and Kandy. The ACC and SLC extended their heartfelt gratitude to the Colombo and Kandy ground staff for their outstanding efforts in ensuring the completion of matches despite numerous interruptions caused by rain.
ACC president Jay Shah took to ‘X’ to express his admiration for the tireless ground staff, recognizing their invaluable contributions to the success of the tournament. Siraj’s gesture of dedicating his prize money to these unsung heroes serves as a poignant reminder of the essential role played by the behind-the-scenes workers in the world of cricket.