ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Maheesh Theekshana slams Sri Lanka’s grueling schedule, says it ‘so unfair on us’

New York, June 4: Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana has criticized the grueling T20 World Cup schedule his team has been subjected to, calling it “unfair” as the Wanindu Hasaranga-led side plays its four group stage matches in four different sites. The spinner noted that the team hotel, where they began their campaign against South Africa on June 3, was an hour and 40 minutes from the venue. Riyan Parag reveals he’s ‘not going to watch T20 World Cup 2024’ during podcast, video goes viral.

At the same time, he also mentioned that they had to deal with delayed flights and long hours spent at airports. “It’s so unfair for us, we have to leave every day (after the game) because we play in four different venues. It’s unfair. The flight we took from Florida, from Miami, we had to waiting for about eight hours at the airport to catch the flight and we arrived we were supposed to leave at 8pm but we got on the flight at 5am. It’s really unfair for us but whatever. when you play (on the field),” Theekshana said after Sri. Lanka loses against South Africa in its opening match.

Sri Lanka are only the second team after the Netherlands to have to play their four group stage matches at four different venues. After their first match against South Africa in New York, the Asian team will travel to Dallas for their second match on June 8 (IST) against Bangladesh. Their third match of the Group D stage against Nepal is scheduled to take place in Florida on June 12, followed by a match against the Netherlands on June 17 in Saint Lucia.

“I can’t give the names of the teams who had the opportunity to stay in the same place, but their hotel is only 14 minutes from the ground. Ours lasted about an hour and 40 minutes,” he said. -he added, before admitting that Sri Lanka canceled one of their training sessions due to travel fatigue and the distance they had to travel for training. SL vs SA ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Stats Highlights: Anrich Nortje and bowlers help South Africa start campaign with victory over shy Sri Lanka.

“Because even from the hotel it takes an hour and 40 minutes. Even today (match day) we had to wake up around 5 a.m. to come here. All four games in four venues. C It’s difficult. We didn’t know anything (nothing about the conditions here). It was our first game in New York, we don’t know anything (nothing about the conditions there). venue in Florida where we played two matches, that’s the only positive we have,” Theekshana added. However, Sri Lanka’s opponent in the first match, South Africa, will play their next two matches in New York before traveling to St. Vincent for their final encounter in the group stage.

India, who begin their campaign against Ireland on June 5, will also play three matches at the same venue at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, before traveling to Florida for their final group stage match. “I can’t say the names of the teams who play in the same venue, so they know what the conditions are. They play practice matches in the same venue. Nobody will understand that. We played the practice matches in Florida, and our third match will be in Florida,” the Sri Lanka player said. Most runs in ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Theekshana further revealed how the Sri Lankan team had to wake up early, pack their bags quickly and leave after playing a match. “There are some things that I think everyone will think about next year because I know that this year nothing will change. Our management is also trying to fix today’s flight because we are playing, we We have to pack everything and (leave). We woke up around 5:30 p.m. to come here, and (it plays in the mind, what) if we miss something here (by packing in a hurry)”, he said. -he concluded.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 4, 2024 06:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment & lifestyle , log in to our website Latestly.com).