Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu said she feels “a failure as a captain” after her side’s defeat by the West Indies in Bristol left them fifth out of 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 are chasing 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, Sri Lanka’s chances of progressing have become difficult.Sri Lanka also undermined 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 sad beyond words,” Athapaththu, who is playing in his 10th T20 World Cup, said after the defeat. “I think I played about 18 years for the national team and I could never have the opportunity to take my team to a semi-final of a World Cup.”“Although I have achieved many things personally, I think I am a failure as a captain, because I think it is a great pain for a player. In truth, now I have to be with that pain.”“I think I did my best, I think I should have played more responsible than that and if I had played more responsible than that today, we could have won this match today. So, I’m sorry. I especially 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,” said an emotional Athapaththu 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 in Pakistan in 2028. Asked if he sees himself playing in that tournament, he said: “For now, I can’t give any explanation for that because with my age, now I am 36 years old.“So, with fitness and everything, this has been decided. So, I try my best to keep my physical form at a good level, and to keep my skills at 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 whether I will 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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