“So unfair for us” – Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana slam Sri Lanka’s busy schedule

The Sri Lankan cricket team finds itself in a tricky situation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, not only due to its disappointing defeat against South Africa but also due to the logistical challenges it faces . With matches spread across multiple venues, delayed flights and hotels far from match venues, players are struggling to regain their composure in this high-intensity tournament.

Sri Lanka suffered a disappointing six-wicket defeat in their opening group stage match against South Africa, managing to score just 77 runs, which the Proteas chased down with relative ease. This setback only added to the difficulties the team faces off the field.

The hectic schedule and logistical arrangements were a major source of frustration for the Sri Lankan team. Of the 20 participating teams, Sri Lanka are one of only two teams to play their first round matches at four different venues, with the Netherlands being the other.

Captain Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana both called out the unfairness of the schedule and logistical arrangements. Team leader Mahinda Halangoda confirmed he had written to the ICC about the issues, but admitted it was too late to make changes.

“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 wait about eight hours in the “We were supposed to leave at 8 p.m. but we caught the flight at 5 a.m. It’s really unfair for us, but it doesn’t matter when you play (on the field),” Theekshana said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

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We had to wake up around 5 a.m. to come here: Maheesh Theekshana

Unlike teams like India and South Africa, who have the luxury of playing three matches at one venue and staying in nearby facilities, the Wanindu Hasaranga-led team’s hotel is centrally located -city of Brooklyn, which complicates early morning starts, a common feature of this tournament.

The busy schedule even forced Sri Lanka to cancel their training sessions on the eve of the matches.

“Because even from the hotel it takes an hour and 40 minutes. Even today (match day) we had to get up around 5 a.m. to come here. I can’t say 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 added.

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Hasaranga acknowledged the challenges but refused to use them as an excuse for his poor performance.

“We can’t say that. We’ve had a tough time the last few days. The four games in four venues. It’s tough. We didn’t know anything (about the conditions here). This is our first game in New York. Next match in Dallas, we don’t know anything (nothing about the conditions there). The next match will be in Florida where we have played two matches, that’s the only positive point we have,” Hasaranga said.

Sri Lanka will now travel to Dallas for their next match against Bangladesh, scheduled for June 8.

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