Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka (AP Photo) A heartbroken Dasun Shanaka has issued a heartfelt apology to fans after Sri Lanka crashed out of the T20 World Cup, admitting failures, fitness concerns and missed opportunities contributed to another painful exit.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Co-hosts Sri Lanka crashed out at the Super Eight stage after a crushing 61-run defeat by New Zealand, days after suffering a 51-run loss to England. The twin defeats rendered their last game against Pakistan meaningless, extending a barren run in global tournaments since their 2014 triumph.
T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka bow out of tournament; Pakistan’s hopes were dashed
“We are very sorry,” Shanaka said in an emotional post-match press conference. “I have nothing to say to the audience. We didn’t give them a win to be happy about.”The skipper admitted that Sri Lanka missed crucial moments, especially against England. “The England game was also a game we could have won. If we had been more sensible, we could have won it. This game was a one-sided game,” he said.
Vote
Who or what do you think is MOST responsible for Sri Lanka’s early exit from the T20 World Cup?
Shanaka also pointed to the unexpected playing conditions and said the pitch did not behave as expected despite the team being built around proven domestic players. “I mentioned before the tournament that I expect good wickets. The best batsmen in Sri Lanka are here. No one fails there, everyone goes to win for the country,” he said. “Unfortunately, sometimes we lose games because of little changes that we don’t even think about. So, honestly, we’re very sorry.”Fitness and injuries have emerged as a major concern, with Shanaka admitting that Sri Lanka are lagging behind global standards. “I don’t think the fitness is at the maximum level. We have had about four to five injuries and our best players are out. If we consider the fitness level, the other teams are way ahead of us,” he said.He emphasized that fitness must become a “non-negotiable”, highlighting the absence of key players such as Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana as a huge setback, while insisting he is not using injury as an excuse.Shanaka also acknowledged Sri Lanka’s lack of strength and called for long-term planning, unsure of his own captaincy future. “As captain, I have no idea how long I will be captain. It’s up to the selectors. I’ve made good decisions and mistakes too, but I’m glad I had this opportunity.”Despite the disappointment, Shanaka urged his side to finish hard against Pakistan. “Regardless of the problems, we have to go positive. It is very important to finish the World Cup well because it gives the impetus for the next tournament,” he said.
