Surya, PCB donate Asia Cup fees for victims at home
Political tensions spilled over into cricket in the Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan on Sunday in Dubai and even though the contest is already over, India winning the tie by five wickets, both sides have continued trading barbs.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi likened the win to Operation Sindoor, a military operation undertaken by India in May following the attack on tourists in Pahalgam of Jammu and Kashmir, for which it blamed Pakistan.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. In response, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Mohsin Naqvi advised India not to drag politics into cricket.
These tit-for-tat exchanges are occurring even under the cover of humanitarian concerns.
On late Sunday night, after the match, India captain Suryakumar Yadav announced he will donate his entire match fee from the just-concluded Asia Cup to the country's armed forces and the victims of Pahalgam attack.
"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. Jai Hind," the 35-year-old posted on X on Monday, a day after his side defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final to win the trophy in Dubai.
Hours later, the PCB also announced on X that it would donate the team's match fees from the final to the civilians martyred in the country in May during the conflict against India.
"The Pakistan Cricket Team has dedicated its Asia Cup final match fees to the innocent victims martyred in the May 7 attack, in which civilians, including children, lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families," PCB wrote on X.
At least 26 people were killed in an attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, after which India had carried out a military offensive in Pakistan in May followed by a four-day conflict between the two countries.
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