BCCI announces cash award for Indian team

BCCI president Sharad Pawar has announced a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh (around US$12,000) each for the 15 members of the Asia Cup-winning Indian women's squad.

Hailing the triumph, Pawar said, "I congratulate the women's cricket team for winning the Asia Cup." India were undefeated throughout the tournament, winning all six league games before crushing Sri Lanka by 177 runs in the final on Sunday to clinch their fourth successive Asia Cup.

After Asha Rawat's 114-ball 97 helped set up a stiff target of 261 for Sri Lanka, the Indian spinners sparked a collapse which saw the hosts lose their last eight wickets for 22 runs. It was the fourth consecutive time that India and Sri Lanka had clashed in the finals.

India's president, Pratibha Patil, also congratulated the team and their captain Mithali Raj for the victory.