Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup Hopes Crushed by Skill Failures
Sri Lanka’s disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup has left head coach Rumesh Ratnayake frustrated and searching for answers. After losing all three of their matches, Sri Lanka’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals have been extinguished.
Ratnayake has attributed the team’s struggles to a lack of skill and poor execution. “It was bad playing through and through this tournament,” he said. “They’ve been doing poor cricket, and that is not acceptable.”
The team’s batting has been particularly concerning, with captain Chamari Athapaththu failing to score in double figures in any of the three innings. Athapaththu’s struggles have been a major factor in Sri Lanka’s inability to post competitive totals.
Ratnayake believes that the team’s preparation was adequate, but that they have failed to execute under pressure. “Our preparation was really good back home,” he said. “We played on various types of wickets. We simulated some of those similar situations, but winning those moments, winning those appropriate situations, decision-making along with the skill hasn’t been backed up.”
Despite the setbacks, Ratnayake remains confident in the team’s potential. “In the past 22 months, we’ve worked hard on creating an environment which is conducive for learning,” he said. “So we are not only building up in confidence but building up in confidence so that we would back ourselves with the skill as well.”
Sri Lanka will have one final chance to salvage their tournament when they face New Zealand on Saturday. Ratnayake has described the match as a “prime objective” and has demanded an improved performance from his team.