The performance of the Sri Lankan team in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 has been disappointing, culminating in a significant loss to New Zealand by 61 runs during a match held at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. With this defeat, Sri Lanka, serving as co-hosts, has failed to reach the semifinals for the fifth consecutive T20 World Cup, which marks a concerning trend for the team after setting high expectations for themselves.

Following the heartbreaking loss, team captain Dasun Shanaka expressed his deep disappointment and issued a heartfelt appeal to the fans, urging them to maintain their faith in the team and the prospects of cricket in Sri Lanka. In an emotional Facebook post, he conveyed that while the team entered the tournament with thorough preparation and self-confidence, the outcomes were far from what they hoped for, reflecting the challenging dynamics within the sport that the team must navigate.

Shanaka acknowledged the frustration and pain felt by fans over their team's elimination and accepted the criticism with humility. He emphasized the importance of continuing support from fans, recognizing that the journey in cricket carries both triumphs and setbacks, and he urged supporters to remain steadfast amidst the disappointment, as they work to rebuild and improve for future competitions.