Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka says that the government should intervene to prevent the impact on the mental well-being of the players due to the harsh criticism and negative statements being spread against the Sri Lankan cricket players.
He said this at a press conference held after the defeat in the World Cup Super 8 round match against New Zealand yesterday (25).
Admitting that the physical and mental fitness of the Sri Lankan team is not at the peak of international standards, he pointed out the negative environment created around the game as the main reason for this.
He said that although the players have positive attitudes, the negative environment created off the field of play is causing great harm to Sri Lankan cricket.
He pointed out that the mental health of the players is lost due to various parties criticizing them through the media immediately after a match, and said that if the government intervenes and controls this situation, it will be a great help to the mental freedom of future players.
Dasun Shanaka also emphasized that the players enter the field with the ultimate intention of winning the team and that no one plays to lose.
He further stated that as players, they are deeply saddened by the inability to provide a victory for the country.
However, Dasun Shanaka said that there is one more match left in the World Cup tournament and expressed that he hopes to win at least that match as the captain and end the tournament with honor.