Reflecting on the contest, Shanaka expressed disappointment at how Sri Lanka let a strong bowling performance go to waste with a rash and ill-judged batting display.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt's very disappointing, but at the same time, we had a lot of positives in the ball. So I think we kept them towards a total which was at least 20 runs under par. I expected my players to bat well,\u201d Shanaka said after the game, summarising the factors behind the low-scoring outcome.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sri Lanka\u2019s bowlers had executed their plans effectively to restrict England to 145, giving the hosts a realistic chance in familiar conditions. However, Shanaka was clear that the pitch was not to blame for the dramatic collapse, insisting the conditions were playable and that poor decision-making with the bat proved costly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cA combination of all the things. I think the pitch played well. Certainly, it was a bit slow in the first innings, but with the lights on, it settled a bit. We played badly. All the bowlers in our side bowled well, it's not that they (England) bowled really well. We played some rash shots in critical intervals,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The captain also emphasised the strength of Sri Lanka\u2019s bowling attack, which had consistently kept opponents in check throughout the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIn this World Cup, we tried with five main bowlers. I mean, including allounder. So it is a nice attack to have, so I can restrict most of the sides to lower scores,\u201d Shanaka explained.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the early wickets, Sri Lanka had planned to pace their chase and take the game deep, but the approach unraveled under pressure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe discussion was to take it deep (during the chase). We have played a lot of cricket in this sort of conditions, it was about taking it deep and taking the positive options and the right options, which we didn't take. So eventually it's one bad game which is not affordable in a World Cup, but we need to bounce back in the next couple of games,\u201d the skipper mentioned.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the early wickets, Sri Lanka had planned to pace their chase and take the game deep, but the approach unraveled under pressure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With crucial fixtures ahead, Sri Lanka will now look to regroup quickly and rediscover the batting form that had carried them through earlier matches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n