• Source:PTI
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The dedicated groundstaff team, who put in tireless efforts to prepare the cricket grounds in Colombo and Pallekele for the Asia Cup despite challenging monsoon conditions, will be recognized for their hard work. Asian Cricket Council Chairman Jay Shah announced that the entire groundstaff team will receive a prize money award of USD 50,000 as a token of appreciation for their contributions.

"Big Shoutout to the Unsung Heroes of Cricket! The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) are proud to announce a well-deserved prize money of USD 50,000 for the dedicated curators and groundsmen at Colombo and Kandy," Shah wrote on 'X', formerly twitter.

USD 50,000 will roughly be 16 million in Sri Lankan rupee.

"Their unwavering commitment and hard work made the Asia Cup 2023 an unforgettable spectacle. From pitch perfection to lush outfields, they ensured the stage was set for thrilling cricket action."

"This recognition highlights the critical role these individuals play in cricket's success. Let's celebrate and honour their yeoman services!" added Shah.

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The Asia Cup was initially planned to be hosted by Pakistan, but due to India's reluctance to play in Pakistan, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) organized the event in a 'Hybrid Model' with nine games assigned to Sri Lanka. However, Sri Lanka's challenging weather conditions, particularly for their curators and groundsmen, posed significant difficulties in preparing the grounds on time.

Rain disruptions affected several matches in the tournament, including India's opening fixture against arch-rival Pakistan in Pallekele, which was washed out. The Duckworth–Lewis method came into play in a few matches due to rain interruptions.

Even the Super-4 encounter between India and Pakistan spilled over to the reserve day before India emerged victorious. The final match has also experienced a delayed start due to the looming threat of rain.

 

Inputs from PTI