While confidence levels are high in the New Zealand camp, it is quite the opposite for Sri Lanka who were knocked out of contention at the T20 World Cup following a third consecutive loss at the event.
It leaves the tournament co-hosts without any points in the Super Eights and Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka was quick to point the finger at the additional pressure the side had received when playing matches on home soil.
“A lot of times what we see and hear are negative things,” Shanaka said.
“No matter how we as cricketers try to stay positive, there is negativity outside. That’s a big loss for Sri Lankan cricket. This is the only sport we have, and I don’t know if we’ll be able to protect it. If you look outside the stadium you’ll see how many people are standing outside with mics, and people will say stuff without having watched the match.
“Why spread this negativity? Yes, we lost a World Cup, and we know the reasons. Everyone has concerns. More than talking about that and correcting it, the negativity has come to the fore.
“We will play and leave, but if for the players who will come in the future, if the government can even stop it (the negativity) that’s better for their mental health.”
