Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu called herself “a failure as a captain.” This comes after her team’s defeat to West Indies in Bristol. The loss leaves Sri Lanka fifth out of six teams in Group 2, with their semi-final hopes hanging by a thread.
Athapaththu scored just 2 runs as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 98. West Indies chased it down with five wickets and 23 balls to spare. Sri Lanka have two wins from three games, but England and West Indies have won all three of theirs. New Zealand and Scotland are ahead on net run rate too. Sri Lanka need a huge turnaround to get out of the group.
“It’s a sadness beyond words,” Athapaththu said after the match. “I think I played around 18 years for the national team and I could never get a chance to take my team into a semi-final of a World Cup. Even though I have achieved many things personally, I think I’m a failure as a captain. That’s a big pain for a player. Now I have to be with that pain.”
She also blamed herself for the loss. “I think I should have played more responsible than this. If I have played more responsible than this today, we could have won this match. I don’t like to blame anyone. I have more responsibility as a player, as the captain, and as a player with more experience. I’m very sad. I feel like I lost my last chance.”
Athapaththu is 36 and has played in every T20 World Cup so far. The next one is in Pakistan in 2028. She wasn’t sure if she’d be there. “With my age, now I’m 36 years old. With fitness and all, that’s being decided. I try my best to keep my physical fitness in a good level and to keep my skills in 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.”
Sri Lanka’s last two group matches are against Ireland in Bristol on June 23 and Scotland in Manchester on June 26. They need to win both and hope other results go their way.
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Sri Lanka struggled with the bat after being sent in first. They were bowled out for 99. Early wickets made things worse for them. They slipped to 23 for 4 inside the powerplay.
Hayley Matthews led the attack with the ball. She took 3 wickets for just 15 runs. Her spell removed key Sri Lankan batters early and put them under heavy pressure.
Nilakshika Silva tried to fight back. She scored 30 runs and built a small partnership to steady the innings. But Sri Lanka never fully recovered.
Other bowlers also supported Matthews well. Karishma Ramharack picked up 2 wickets and helped finish the innings quickly.
West Indies lost early wickets and were reduced to 36 for 2. Matthews was also run out after a sharp direct hit from Sri Lanka’s fielders. That gave Sri Lanka a brief opening in the chase.
Deandra Dottin also fell during the powerplay. Sri Lanka stayed in the game by taking wickets at regular intervals.
Stafanie Taylor played a calm knock under pressure. She stayed unbeaten on 27 and guided the chase with a steady stand late in the innings.
West Indies reached the target of 99 for 5 in 16.1 overs. The win was their third straight in the tournament. It also pushed them close to a semi-final spot.
FAQs
Q. Why did Sri Lanka lose to West Indies?
A. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 98.
Q. How did Chamari Athapaththu perform in the match?
A. Athapaththu scored only 2 runs in the defeat.
Q. What did Chamari Athapaththu say after the loss?
A. Athapaththu said she felt like a failure as captain after the defeat.
Q. What is Sri Lanka’s position in the group?
A. They are fifth out of six teams in Group 2.
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