T20 World Cup: 'Unfair for us': Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana 'unhappy' with T20 World Cup schedule

NEW DELHI: The Sri Lanka cricket team, led by captain Wanindu Hasaranga and spinner Maheesh Theekshana, has expressed concerns over the demanding schedule they face in the T20 World Cup.

Following a 6-wicket loss to South Africa in a low-scoring match, the team was forced to quickly end their media obligations. As reported by ESPNcricinfo, the team had a tight deadline to return to their Brooklyn hotel, finish packing, settle their account, then head to the airport for an 18-hour flight to Dallas for their next match against Bangladesh.

SEE ALSO: T20 World Cup Schedule

The team’s preparation for its opener was also less than ideal, with its arrival in New York delayed due to a prolonged seven-hour wait at Miami airport. This delay was due to the postponement of their flight, which ultimately took off several hours later than planned.

Theekshana, in particular, highlighted the challenges posed by having to travel a lot between venues as a major inconvenience, saying: “It’s so unfair for us, we have to leave every day (after the match) because we play (at) four different stages”. It is unfair. The flight we took from Florida, from Miami, we had to wait about eight hours at the airport to get the flight. We were supposed to leave at 8 p.m., but we got the flight at 5 p.m. It’s really unfair for us, but it doesn’t matter when you’re playing (on the field).”

Sri Lanka are one of only two teams, alongside the Netherlands, to have to play their first round of matches at four separate venues. This logistical demand led to training sessions being canceled due to travel fatigue, with the team having to get up early to get to their playing venues, further compounding the challenges.

Theekshana also highlighted the disparity in fairness of the schedule, noting that teams stationed at a single venue become familiar with the conditions and have the opportunity to play practice matches there, an advantage Sri Lanka does not have. not.

“Yeah, that’s why. Because even from the hotel it’s an hour and 40 minutes. Even today (match day) we had to wake up around 5 a.m. to get here.” , explained Theekshana.

Hasaranga, in a post-match press conference, asked if the logistical difficulties had affected the team’s performance. He continued: “We can’t say that. We’ve had difficult times in the last few days. The four games in four venues. It’s difficult. We didn’t know anything (about the conditions here). This is our first game in New York. The next game in Dallas, we don’t know anything (nothing about the conditions there). The next game will be in Florida, where we played two games, that’s the only positive we have. “

Despite the setbacks, Sri Lanka are aiming to secure a victory in their next match against Bangladesh to maintain their chances of progressing to the Super Six stage of the tournament.

(ANI entry)