Sri Lanka’s sacked captain Angelo Mathews accused the country’s cricket board Monday as he has been made completely responsible for the island’s humiliating exit from the Asia Cup. The 31-year-old all-rounder has threatened to retire from the limited-overs formats of the game after being sacked on Sunday as captain of Sri Lanka’s One-Day International and twenty20 teams.
In his letter to Sri Lanka Cricket obtained by ESPNCricinfo, Mathews wrote, “Though I was initially surprised, it was immediately felt that I have been made the scapegoat in this entire saga of Sri Lanka’s dismal performances against Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the Asia Cup. I’m willing to take part of the blame but at the same time, feel betrayed and let down if the blame is solely put on me. “
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He further added. “As you know all decisions are taken through a mutual understanding with the Selectors and the Head Coach. And though I do not agree with the reasoning that the losses should be accrued single-handed to the captaincy, I however eagerly and wholeheartedly respect the request of the selection committee and the head coach in asking me to step down and do so with immediate effect.”
Mathews had led the Lankan team from 2013 to 2017 had given up captaincy after Sri Lanka had started to perform poorly. With the World Cup next year, the newly-appointed head coach Chandika Hathurasingha had urged Mathews to take over the ODI captaincy again. However, with six losses and two wins – both in dead-rubber clashes against South Africa – under his captaincy, the ax fell on the all-rounder.
The Sri Lankan board said it asked Mathews to step down and allow Dinesh Chandimal to lead Sri Lanka during England’s tour which begins next month. The board’s statement read: “The national selectors… have requested Mathews to relinquish his duties as captain with immediate effect.”
It did not elaborate the reasons behind the sacking of Mathews. But it follows Sri Lanka’s drubbing in the Asia Cup, with losses to lower-ranked Afghanistan and Bangladesh ensuring the island nation’s quick exit from the competition.
