Hasaranga & Theekshana Express Frustation On Sri Lanka's 'Unfair' Travel Arrangements In T20 World Cup 2024

Sri Lanka players voice their discomfort with team's hectic travel and stay scheduling during the T20 World Cup 2024.

Sri Lanka faced a disappointing defeat against South Africa, scoring only 77 runs and losing by six wickets in their first match of the T20 World Cup 2024. The loss has compounded the team's existing off-field challenges as Wanindu Hasaranga, the captain of Sri Lanka, and spinner Maheesh Theekshana criticised the schedule of their team's matches in the ongoing Twenty20 World Cup, claiming that the roster is unfair compared to some other teams and that the lengthy travel time has already forced them to cancel one practice.

Maheesh Theekshana expressed frustration about the travel challenges faced by the team, citing long waits at airports and inconvenient flight schedules due to playing at four different venues. Despite this, he emphasised that it doesn't affect their performance on the field. Notably, the hectic schedule led to Sri Lanka cancelling their training on the eve of the match, as it was scheduled at a different facility for both teams. 

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"So unfair for us, we have to leave every day [after the match] because we are playing [at] four different venues. It's unfair. The flight we took from Florida, from Miami, we had to wait like eight hours in the airport to get the flight. 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 field]," said Maheesh Theekshana as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo. 

Some Teams Got Opportunity To Stay In Same Place- Theekshana

Maheesh Theekshana expressed the challenges faced by his team due to long travel times between the hotel and match venues. He noted the stark contrast with other teams whose hotels were much closer to the grounds. 

“I can't say the names of the teams that have got the opportunity to stay in the same place but their hotel is only 14 minutes to the ground. Ours was like one hour and 40 minutes. All four games 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],” Maheesh Theekshana

Sri Lanka captain Wanindu Hasaranga also expressed the challenges of playing four games in four different venues, admitting it was difficult not knowing the conditions in each place. He mentioned that the upcoming game in Florida was the only advantage due to their previous experience there.

"We had a tough time last few days. All four games 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," said Hasaranga.