Captain Dasun Shanaka apologized after being out of Super 8, said injuries broke Sri Lanka’s hopes

New Delhi . After the thrilling defeat against Pakistan in their last Super 8 match in the T20 World Cup 2026, Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka emotionally apologized to the fans and also clarified the main reason for his exit from the tournament. Sri Lanka almost defeated Pakistan in a very close match, but the match turned on the last two balls and Pakistan won. With this defeat, Sri Lanka’s dream of reaching the semi-finals was also shattered.

In the post match presentation after the match, captain Shanaka admitted that he could have finished the match. He said that it was a very close match and the responsibility also fell on him. Shanaka praised Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and said that he bowled brilliantly in pressure situations, which changed the course of the match. The captain admitted that if he had remained patient in the last moments, the result could have been different.

If we look at the entire tournament, Sri Lanka’s campaign did not live up to expectations. The team lost four of its seven matches, including three Super 8 matches. The team also could not take advantage of the home conditions. Shanaka said that it has been a difficult campaign for them, as the team continued to struggle with injuries. The absence of key players disturbed the balance, the effect of which was clearly visible on the results.

The captain especially termed the exit of Wanindu Hasaranga and Mathisha Pathirana from the tournament as a big blow. He said that both of them were not only important bowlers but also the strength of the team. A big tournament like the World Cup requires experienced and effective players, and the team missed them. According to Shanaka, if these players were available then perhaps the team could have reached the semi-finals.

Shanaka also spoke openly about the critics. He acknowledged that players are also human and feel pressure. On some occasions he made mistakes and took responsibility for them. He said that it was never his intention to disappoint the fans and he promised to perform better in future. Expressing his gratitude to the team’s supporters, the captain said that the support he has received over the years is an inspiration for him.

However, amid the disappointment, Shanaka also underlined the positive side. He praised young batsman Pawan Rathnayake and said that he is consistently performing well and is making excellent use of the crease. Apart from this, while mentioning young players like Dunith Velalage, the captain said that the future of Sri Lankan cricket is bright and this team will make a strong comeback in the coming times.

In the end, Shanaka thanked the fans in Sinhala language and said that the team could not live up to their expectations, but after recovering from injuries, they will unite and make a better comeback. He expressed confidence that this team will achieve great success in the future.