Jayasuriya apologises to fans after Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup disappointment

Sri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya has apologised to the nation’s supporters following the team’s winless Super Eight campaign at the T20 World Cup, describing himself as being “in anguish” over the disappointment caused to fans.

Sri Lanka were the only side in their Super Eight group without a victory, having also suffered a shock defeat to Zimbabwe in the group stage. Their campaign ended despite a spirited effort in Colombo, where captain Dasun Shanaka blasted an unbeaten 76 off 31 balls in a narrow five-run loss to Pakistan.

However, earlier defeats to England and New Zealand — both marked by damaging batting collapses — had already ended Sri Lanka’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals and drawn sharp criticism from supporters.

“I’m very sad as a coach that we’re not in the semi-finals,” Jayasuriya said after the Pakistan match. “Our 22 million people around the country really wanted us to be in that semi-final. We feel that sadness. We should say sorry and ask for forgiveness. It was in our hands and then we let it slip. I don’t know if these players will ever get the chance again to play a World Cup at home.”

Jayasuriya struck a notably contrite tone, particularly after Shanaka had earlier suggested that negative fan sentiment had created pressure around the team — comments the captain later retracted.

“I’m in anguish about the fans, because I know how disappointed they must be,” Jayasuriya said. “From the first match, they gave the team as much support as they could. They must be angry at us and scolding us, including on social media. Even when we go on the street they must be scolding us. But this is the only sport we have in this country. When we don’t do well, we have to understand the hurt they feel. We have to stay humble and accept our mistakes.”

The coach acknowledged that injuries to key players significantly hampered Sri Lanka’s campaign. Allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga suffered a hamstring injury in the opening match against Ireland, while seamer Eshan Malinga dislocated his shoulder before the tournament. Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana also sustained a calf injury during the competition.

“What went wrong was in the first match itself Wanindu Hasaranga got injured, and that was a big loss,” Jayasuriya said. “He’s the best player in my team and an allrounder. Then Eshan Malinga got a shoulder dislocation. After that, just as Matheesha Pathirana was starting to bowl well, he got injured. I had those setbacks, but those aren’t excuses. The replacements have to perform.”

Jayasuriya admitted replacing players of Hasaranga and Pathirana’s calibre proved difficult in key moments. He pointed to missed opportunities in both the England and New Zealand matches, where Sri Lanka’s batting faltered under pressure.

“In the England match, we could have chased 140 in Pallekele. But we gave away wickets unnecessarily and lost. In the New Zealand game, we didn’t bat well again,” he said.

Sri Lanka’s early exit has left the team reflecting on a campaign that promised much but delivered little, with the focus now shifting to rebuilding confidence and restoring faith among a disappointed fan base.