Mohammed Siraj declines BCCI’s offer to fly back after father’s death

By
Sneha Roy
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0
Md. Siraj (Pic Courtesy: News18)

Sydney: The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) on Saturday (November 21) issued an official statement after India’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj’s father Mohammed Ghouse, passed away on Friday (November 20) due to lung ailment at the age of 53.

The BCCI informed that Siraj was offered with the option of flying back for his father’s last rites, but the fast bowler chose to stay back and perform his national duties for the team.

“Team India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj lost his father on Friday after a brief illness. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had a discussion with Siraj and he was offered the option of flying back and be with his family in this hour of grief,” the BCCI said.

“The fast bowler has decided to stay with the Indian contingent and continue performing his national duties. The BCCI shares his grief and will be supportive of Siraj in this extremely challenging phase.”

“The BCCI requests the media to accord Siraj and his bereaved family members their space and privacy.”

Earlier on Saturday, BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly lauded Siraj’s strength and called him a ‘tremendous character’ for opting to stay back and prioritise national duty. “May Mohammed Siraj have a lot of strength to overcome this loss… lots of good wishes for his success in this trip… tremendous character,” Ganguly tweeted.

Siraj is now in Australia along with the Indian squad preparing for Tour Down Under starting from November 27. They are currently in the middle of a 14-day quarantine period in Australia by following all the COVID-19 protocols.

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