Indian cricket team captain Suryakumar Yadav had said that he would donate his match fees from the Asia Cup, where he guided India to the title on Sunday, to the Indian armed forces and the victims of Pahalgam terror attacks.
“I have decided to donate my match fees from this tournament to support our Armed Forces and the families of the victims who suffered from the Pahalgam terror attack. You always remain in my thoughts,” Yadav posted on his social media handles.
Yadav had already taken a strong stand not to shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha three times, including in Sunday’s final. After the first India vs Pakistan group stage game had ended in a seven-wicket victory over their arch-rivals for the Men in Blue, Yadav had said: “This is the perfect occasion to take the time out and say that we stand by the victims of the families of Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to put a smile on their face.”
At the Asia Cup, the Indian cricket team had faced Pakistan on the field for the first time since the heinous Pahalgam terror attacks earlier this year in April, which led to India launching retaliatory military action across the border in early May. All three games had ended with victories for India.
I have decided to donate my match fees from this tournament to support our Armed Forces and the families of the victims who suffered from the Pahalgam terror attack. You always remain in my thoughts
India had also refused to accept the trophy from Asia Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman who is also the country’s Interior Minister. Naqvi reportedly took the trophy with him.
“I have never seen a champion (team) not getting a trophy. We deserved it. The real trophies are my 14 colleagues and they will stay in my memory,” India captain Suryakumar Yadav said in the post-match media briefing.
Salman Ali Agha had criticised the Indian team’s behaviour at the Asia Cup, complaining about a “galat message” (wrong message).
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“Suryakumar Yadav did shake hands with me in the press conference at the start of the tournament and during the referee’s meeting as well. But then he didn’t do it when he came in front of the entire world. I guess he is following the instructions he has been given, which is fine,” Agha said at the post-match press conference early on Monday morning.
The postSuryakumar Yadav to donate Asia Cup match fees to Pahalgam terror attack victims and armed forces | Cricket News appeared first on Indian Express
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