Emotional Sri Lanka Captain Calls Herself 'Failure' After T20 World Cup Loss Vs West Indies

Athapaththu calls herself a failure [Source: AFP]

The Women’s T20 World Cup is going in full flow with teams fighting hard to get their hands on the coveted title. While some teams are on top and have played exciting cricket, others have struggled to stamp their authority in the tournament.

One such team that has failed to deliver the goods is the Sri Lankan Women’s side, as the Asian team got decimated in their last match against the West Indies. The defeat means Sri Lanka are fifth in the points table in their group, and have little chance to qualify for the semifinals.

West Indies give huge setback to Chamari Athapaththu’s Sri Lanka

The Chamari Athapaththu-led Sri Lankan side batted first, and the Asian side had a horrendous performance as they got bundled out for a paltry 98 inside 20 overs. None of the batters, including Athapaththu, delivered the goods as wickets tumbled like a pack of cards.

The skipper herself scored 2 off 6 and had a disappointing outing as the side crumbled in front of a hostile West Indian attack.

In reply, the West Indies fumbled, but the team managed to chase down the total as they beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets to showcase their one-sided domination.

Athapaththu cries in pain as Sri Lanka almost out of T20 World Cup

After suffering a crushing defeat against the West Indies, the Sri Lankan captain, Chamari Athapaththu, reflected on her team’s performance, and in a surprising statement, she called herself a “failure captain.”

"Actually, it's a sadness beyond words," Athapaththu, who is playing her tenth T20 World Cup, said after the defeat. "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, because I think that's big pain for a player. Actually, now I have to be with that pain.

Athapaththu takes Sri Lanka's loss blame on herself

The hard-hitting player scored just 2 runs and couldn’t provide an aggressive start to her side. Reflecting on the same, the Sri Lanka Women's captain pinned the blame on herself for the team’s embarrassing defeat.

Also Read: Harmanpreet Kaur Reveals Real Culprit For India's Crushing Defeat Vs South Africa

"I think I tried my best, I think I should have played more responsible than this and if I have 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."

"So, I'm very sad, I feel like I lost my last chance."

Last dance for Athapaththu in T20Is?

The Sri Lankan captain is 36, and by the time the next T20 World Cup takes place (2028), she’ll be 38, and the explosive batter has cast doubts regarding her future with the Sri Lankan national team.

"For now, I can't give any explanation about that, because with my age, now I'm 36 years old," Chamari said about her playing the next T20 World Cup. "So, with fitness and all, that's being decided. So, I try my best to keep my physical fitness in a good level, and to keep my skills in a high level."

The captain of the side will be eager to bow out on a high, if she has decided to play her last T20 World Cup.

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