Dasun Shanaka said that lack of fitness and poor form were not the only reasons behind Sri Lanka’s early exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The Sri Lankan captain also blamed what he called a “negative environment created outside” the team for their disappointing performance.
Sri Lanka was knocked out of the tournament in the Super Eight stage after suffering a 61-run defeat to New Zealand national cricket team. Earlier, they had lost by 51 runs to the England cricket team. The back-to-back defeats ended their hopes of moving further in the competition.
After the loss, Shanaka apologised to the people of Sri Lanka for the team’s poor performance. He admitted that the results were not good enough and said the players were disappointed with how the tournament ended for them.
However, Shanaka also expressed concern over the heavy criticism directed at the team. He said constant negative comments and pressure from outside the dressing room affected the players. He even urged the government to step in and protect the players from harsh criticism.
The captain said that while constructive feedback is important, excessive negativity can hurt team morale and confidence. He added that the players are committed to improving and working harder in the future.
Sri Lanka’s early exit has sparked debate among fans and cricket experts, with many calling for changes in strategy and team management. The team will now look to regroup and focus on upcoming international assignments.