We should have improved our cricket and not blame others: Hasaranga

Sri Lankan captain Wanindu Hasaranga apologised to the fans and put the blame on the batting unit for not qualifying for the Super 8s of the 2024 T20 World Cup. The Island Nation ended the competition with an 83-run win over the Netherlands on June 16 (Sunday), which turned out to be their only win in the tournament. They lost their first two games against Bangladesh and South Africa, while their match against Nepal was washed out. 

“I should tell first I’m very sorry about this, as we know how good our team, but unfortunately, we didn’t bring that game in our first two matches. I think it was too late to win this match. As the captain and a player, I feel very sorry about this, coming to a world cup and getting out of the very first round,” said Hasaranga. 

“We know we have very good bowlers and they are experienced. And also there are a few fast bowlers and a few spinners on the bench as well. When we think of bowling, we are on top of this tournament. Unfortunately, I know our batting wasn’t good enough as we expected and that's why we had to get out of this tournament this early.”

Even in the ODI World Cup last year, Sri Lanka finished at No.9 and Hasaranga said the players are not rectifying their mistakes. “After every tournament, we gather around and discuss that we have done several mistakes. So as a team, I think we should decide if we have to rectify those mistakes. I think we have not rectified our mistakes yet.”

Hasaranga also admitted that his team failed to get used to the conditions in the USA. “We can blame the pitches and make up stories when we lose a match. As professional cricketers, we can't do that. All the other countries are also playing in the same pitches so we have to adjust ourselves to that. 

“We have to admit that. That's why we come to these tournaments representing a country. We should have improved our cricket and not blame others. We could have adjusted ourselves to the same pitches as other teams are also playing on the same. I think we didn't do that.”

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