“I’m a failure as a captain”. Chamari Athapaththu’s agony emerges as Sri Lanka eyes T20 World Cup exit Cricket News:
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu says he feels “a failure as a captain” after his team’s loss to the West Indies in Bristol left them fifth out of six teams in Group 2 and facing 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 to spare. Sri Lanka have won just one of their three matches, and with England and West Indies winning all three, Sri Lanka’s chances of progressing have become difficult.Sri Lanka also hurt their own chances with wides, dropped catches and fielding errors. The 23 extras they conceded was the second highest contribution by the West Indies.“Honestly, it’s an unspeakable sadness,” said Athapaththu, playing in his tenth T20 World Cup, after the loss. “I think I played about 18 years for the national team and I never got a chance to get my team to the semi-final of a World Cup.”“Although I have achieved many things personally, I think I am a failure as a captain, because I think that is a big pain for a player. Actually, now I have to live with that pain.”“I think I tried my best, I think I should have played more responsibly than this and if I had played more responsible than this today, we could have won this match today. So, I regret that. Especially I don’t like to blame anyone and I think I have more responsibility as a player, as the captain of the team and as a player with more experience,” an emotional Athapaththu said after the loss against the West Indies.“So, I’m very sad, I feel like I lost my last chance.”Athapaththu is 36 and has featured in every Women’s T20 World Cup so far. The next edition is scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2028. Asked if he could see himself playing in that tournament, he said. “Right now, I can’t give an explanation about that, because of my age, now I’m 36 years old.“So, with fitness and everything, that was decided. So, I’m trying my best to keep my physical health at a good level, and to keep 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 will play or not.”Sri Lanka’s remaining Group 2 matches are against Ireland in Bristol on June 23 and Scotland in Manchester on June 26.
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