The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated curators and groundsmen who worked tirelessly in Colombo and Kandy during the Asia Cup 2023. In recognition of their exceptional efforts, a generous reward of USD 50,000 was announced by Jay Shah.
Unfavorable weather conditions in both Kandy and Colombo have cast a shadow over the 2023 Asia Cup. Matches held at Kandy’s Pallekele Cricket Stadium, where India contested its group matches, and Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium were significantly affected by the unpredictable weather. Rain played spoilsport in all the Super 4 matches, except for the first one, as the region had been under the sway of overcast conditions for the past ten days.
The ACC president Jay Shah took to X, (previously Twitter) and stated, “Their unwavering commitment and hard work made the Asia Cup 2023 an unforgettable spectacle. They ensured the stage was set for thrilling cricket action, from pitch perfection to lush outfield.”
“This recognition highlights the critical role these individuals play in cricket’s success. Let’s celebrate and honour their yeoman services!” he wrote on his ‘X’ handle.
The India-Pakistan first-round encounter in Kandy had to be postponed due to persistent showers, which had been a recurring headache throughout the tournament.
The Super 4 clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo had initially seemed destined to be washed out by heavy rain. However, thanks to the dedication of the ground staff, an exciting contest was salvaged, albeit shortened to 42 overs per side.
India secured their eighth Asia Cup trophy with a convincing victory, and this triumph was largely attributed to the destructive bowling performance by Mohammed Siraj. Siraj’s exceptional spell left Sri Lanka’s batting lineup in disarray, as he claimed six wickets for just 21 runs from his seven overs. The match took place in Colombo, where Dasun Shanaka won the toss and opted to bat. He also won the hearts of millions of fans by dedicating his Player of the Match award to all the support staff who worked tirelessly during the entire tournament.
