'I’m a failure as captain': Athapaththu's pain spills out as SL stare at T20 WC exit
Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka walks with team during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Group B match between Sri Lanka Vs West Indies at
Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka walks with team during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Group B match between Sri Lanka Vs West Indies at Bristol County Ground on June 21, 2026 in Bristol, England. (Photo/Getty Images) Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu has said she feels like "a failure as a captain" after her side's defeat to the West Indies in Bristol left them fifth among six teams in Group 2 and facing an uphill task to reach the semi-finals of the Women's T20 World Cup.Athapaththu scored just two runs as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 98. West Indies chased down the target with five wickets in hand and 23 balls remaining. Sri Lanka have won just one of their three matches, and with England and West Indies winning all three of theirs, Sri Lanka's chances of progressing have become difficult.Sri Lanka also hurt their own chances through wides, dropped catches and fielding mistakes.
The 23 extras they conceded were the second-highest contribution to the West Indies total."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.""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," an emotional Athapaththu said after the defeat against West Indies."So, I'm very sad, I feel like I lost my last chance."Athapaththu is 36 and has featured in every Women's T20 World Cup so far. The next edition is scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2028. Asked whether she sees herself playing in that tournament, she said: "For now, I can't give any explanation about that, because with my age, now I'm 36 years old."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."If the team wants, I will play in the future, but with my performance level and fitness level, it will be decided if I play or not."Sri Lanka's remaining Group 2 matches are against Ireland in Bristol on June 23 and Scotland in Manchester on June 26.
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