Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka apologized to supporters and blamed injuries and wasted opportunities after his team was eliminated from the T20 World Cup 2026 after a valiant performance in their final Super 8 match against Pakistan at the Pallekele International Stadium in Kandy on Saturday.
Shanaka scored an unbeaten 76, but Sri Lanka fell five runs short of Pakistan's imposing total of 212. Although Sri Lanka finished with 207, they were unable to surpass the mark, and Pakistan was also eliminated owing to net run-rate calculations.
Shanaka admitted that the game slipped from Sri Lanka’s hands at the end. He insisted that he could’ve finished the match while also crediting Shaheen Afridi for holding his nerve in the final over.
Shanaka blasted three sixes and a four, but Pakistan managed to protect the total even though Sri Lanka needed 28 runs in the final six balls.
"It was that close of a game where I could have finished it. But yeah, unfortunate. Well bowled to Shaheen. Sometimes, as players, we feel the pressure as well. It was a mistake by me. I wanted to say sorry to all the fans for disheartening them,” Shanaka stated in the post-match presentation.
Shanaka described the tournament as difficult, cited injuries as a significant setback, and expressed regret to the fans for letting them down. Given the absence of two crucial bowlers, he believed Sri Lanka could have advanced to the semifinals with a full-strength team.
"It's been a tough campaign for us. We had a few injuries. I want to say sorry to all the fans because, unfortunately, we fell because of those injuries. Otherwise, we could have probably made it to a semifinal. Missing two key bowlers was a big loss. At times of a World Cup, you need your players to be there. It affects the strength and the mentality," Shanaka explained.
Shanaka also counted the positives for the future, with praises for Pawan Rathnayake and Dunith Wellalage for their growth and consistency.
"Pawan has been very consistent and is using the crease very well. We also have Wellalage. They are growing, and hopefully they will have a bright future ahead," Shanaka concluded.
(IANS inputa)
