Sri Lanka’s captain, Chamari Athapaththu, expressed disappointment in her team’s batting performance following a five-wicket loss to the West Indies in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Athapaththu attributed the defeat to early wickets and a low total of 98 runs, which hindered Sri Lanka’s chances against a strong West Indies side. Despite a commendable bowling effort, Sri Lanka’s early struggles with the bat proved costly.
Reflecting on the match, Athapaththu noted the challenging conditions that favored the bowlers but admitted that Sri Lanka failed to adapt effectively during the crucial initial overs. She emphasized the need for a higher score, mentioning that a total of 140 or more would have been necessary to challenge the West Indies team. The captain acknowledged the team’s batting woes and the importance of a stronger performance in upcoming games.
While Sri Lanka’s bowlers managed to take five wickets and briefly impede the West Indies’ progress, Athapaththu refused to blame the bowling unit for the loss. Instead, she underscored the significance of posting a competitive total, stating that 100 runs were insufficient for a successful defense. Athapaththu praised the bowlers for their efforts but stressed the urgency of improved batting in future matches.
Despite the defeat, Athapaththu highlighted the positive aspect of Sri Lanka’s bowling department and urged her team to enhance their batting skills before the next game. With two losses in three matches, Sri Lanka must secure victories against Ireland and Scotland to stay in contention for a spot in the semi-finals.
