The T20 World Cup Super 8 stage turned into a nightmare for co-hosts Sri Lanka. A group stage triumph over mighty Australia had ignited hopes of a deep run. But back-to-back losses to England and New Zealand crushed those dreams, eliminating them from contention on Wednesday.
Veteran allrounder Farveez Maharoof expressed raw frustration to ESPNcricinfo. ‘Heartbreaking and humiliating,’ he called the exit. He dissected the batting collapses with brutal honesty. ‘Batsmen are gifting wickets. Pathum Nissanka aside, all dismissals were avoidable – same story as England game.’
Drawing from years of observation, Maharoof painted a grim picture. ‘Over the last 7-8 years, it’s the same pattern: occasional highs followed by crushing lows. We build hype, then disappoint.’ He demanded immediate action from selectors. ‘Before the next series, rethink the squad on pure ability. Expect hard calls soon – anything less would surprise me.’
Sri Lanka’s rollercoaster ride – from Australia conquerors to Super 8 also-rans – underscores systemic issues. The board now stares at a crossroads. Their final fixture versus Pakistan looms on February 28 at Pallekele, but the focus shifts to rebuilding.
Maharoof’s outspoken critique echoes widespread discontent. As post-mortems begin, the question lingers: Can Sri Lanka summon the resolve for radical reform and reclaim its cricketing glory?