“So unfair for us,” Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana say of Sri Lanka’s busy schedule

Maheesh Theekshana and skipper Wanindu Hasaranga have both expressed dissatisfaction with the schedule and logistics arrangements. Although team manager Mahinda Halangoda acknowledged that the flaws had been communicated to the ICC, she also acknowledged that it was too late to implement any modifications.

In addition to their sad loss to South Africa, the Sri Lankan cricket team is encountering logistical difficulties at the present ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which has put them in a difficult predicament. The participants are having a hard time maintaining their cool in this intense competition because of the spread-out schedule of matches, delayed flights, and accommodations remote from the game locations.

Despite scoring a pitiful 77 runs, which the Proteas were able to easily chase down, Sri Lanka lost to South Africa by six wickets in their opening group stage match. The problems the team is having off the pitch have only gotten worse as a result of this defeat.

The demanding schedule and logistical requirements have greatly irritated the Sri Lankan team. Sri Lanka and the Netherlands are the only two of the 20 participating teams that will be playing their first-round matches at four different sites.

Also read: T20 World Cup 2024: SL vs SA Match 4 Highlights

“It is so unfair for us; we have to leave every day [after the match] because we are playing at  four different venues. It’s unfair. On the flight we took from Florida from Miami, we had to wait like eight hours in the airport to get there. And we came around. We were supposed to leave at 8pm but we got the flight at 5am. It’s really unfair for us, but it doesn’t matter when you play [on the pitch],” Theekshana was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

To get here, we had to get up at five in the morning. Maheesh Theekshana

The Wanindu Hasaranga-led side’s hotel has been in downtown Brooklyn, which complicates early morning starts, a regular aspect of this tournament. This is in contrast to teams like India and South Africa, which have the luxury of playing three matches at the same venue and staying in nearby facilities.

Even Sri Lanka had to postpone their training sessions on the eve of matches due to their busy schedule.

“Because even from the hotel, it’s one hour and 40 minutes. Even today [match day], we had to wake up around 5 am to come here. I can’t say the names of the teams that have had the opportunity to stay in the same place but their hotel is only 14 minutes away. Ours was like one hour and 40 minutes.,” he continued.

While acknowledging the difficulties, Hasaranga declined to use them as a justification for their subpar performance.

“We can’t say that. We had a tough time last few days. All four games are in four venues. It’s hard. We didn’t know anything about the conditions here. This is our first game in New York. Next game in Dallas, we don’t know [anything about the conditions there]. next game is in Florida, where we played two games; that’s the only plus point we have,” Hasaranga commented.

For their upcoming match against Bangladesh, which is set for June 8, Sri Lanka will now travel to Dallas.