In a humble gesture from the Indian pacer, Mohammed Siraj donated his cash prize money which he won after his deadly performance in the Asia Cup final. The right-arm pacer completed a 6-fer as the home side could only managed to score 50 runs before losing their all ten wickets. Chasing 51 runs to win, Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan completed an easy chase as India were crowned as the Asia Cup champs.
My best spell so far: Mohammed Siraj after Asia Cup final
“No biryani here. Have been bowling well since 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. I was thinking it would be great if I could stop the boundary. My best spell. This cash prize goes to the groundsmen. This tournament wouldn’t have been possible without them,” Siraj said at the post match-presentation.
Apart from Siraj, Hardik Pandya also scalped three wickets. Senior pacer Jasprit Bumrah scalped the first wicket of the Lankan innings as Kusal Perera was the first one to depart. Chasing 51 to win, Rohit did not come out to bat as Ishan Kishan joined Gill to open the innings. The duo went on complete the chase within first seven overs of the match as India were crowned as Asia Cup champions.
Siraj has to be given a lot of credit. Rare for seamers to move the ball in the air and off the pitch. He’s coming off age. We did everything we could’ve achieved as a team in this tournament. Look forward to the series that is coming up in India, and then the World Cup, said Indian skipper Rohit Sharma.