‘I’m failing as captain’: Chamari Athapaththu’s pain spills over as Sri Lanka stare at T20 World Cup exit

Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu walks with the team during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Group B match between Sri Lanka and the West Indies at the Bristol County Ground on June 21, 2026 in Bristol, England. (Photo/Getty Images) Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu said she felt like a “failure as a captain” after her side finished fifth among the six teams in Group 2 after defeat to the West Indies in Bristol and face an uphill task to reach the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup.Athapaththu scored just two runs as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 98. West Indies were chasing the target with five wickets in hand and 23 balls remaining. Sri Lanka won only one of their three matches and with England and the West Indies winning all three, Sri Lanka’s chances of advancing became more difficult.Sri Lanka also damaged their own chances through chances, missed catches and fielding errors. The 23 bonus runs they conceded was the second highest contribution to the West Indies’ total.“Actually, it’s a sadness beyond words,” Athapaththu, who is playing in her 10th T20 World Cup, said after the defeat. “I think I played for about 18 years for the national team and I could never get a chance to get my team to the semi-finals of the World Cup.“Even though I’ve achieved many things personally, I think I’ve failed as a captain because I think it’s a big pain for the players. I actually have to be with that pain now.”“I think I tried my best, I think I should have played more responsibly than that, and if I had played more responsibly than that today, we could have won this match today. So I regret that. Mainly, I don’t like to blame anybody and I think I have more responsibility as a player, as a team captain and as a player with more experience,” said an emotional Athapaththu after the defeat against West Indies.“So I’m very sad, I feel like I’ve lost my last chance.Athapaththu is 36 years old and has appeared in every Women’s T20 World Cup so far. The next edition is scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2028. When asked if she could see herself playing in that tournament, she said, “I can’t explain it in any way as of now because with my age, I am 36 now.“So with fitness and everything, that’s decided. So I’m trying my best to keep my physical fitness at a good level and my skills at a high level.”“If the team wants, I will play in the future, but with my performance level and fitness level, it will be decided whether I play or not.”Sri Lanka’s remaining games in Group 2 are against Ireland in Bristol on June 23 and Scotland in Manchester on June 26.

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