Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has pulled back the curtain on the recent World Cup failure, revealing a damning account of the Sports Ministry's involvement in the humiliating defeat suffered by the national team. In a stark statement, SLC disclosed critical details surrounding the circumstances leading to the disappointing outcome.

The cricket board expressed its intent to send injured players Hasaranga and Chameera to the World Cup with a strategic plan to incorporate them into the tournament after their recovery. However, this initiative hit an insurmountable obstacle as the Sports Ministry refused to greenlight the inclusion of the two players without the prerequisite medical clearance.

According to a letter published by SLC, the board had formally requested the inclusion of Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, and Dilshan Madushanka, contingent upon their fitness. In response, the Ministry insisted on obtaining medical clearance for all three players, creating a procedural hurdle.

This revelation sheds light on the delicate balance between the cricket board's strategic decisions and the regulatory framework imposed by the Ministry. The board's attempt to fortify the squad with key players subject to fitness considerations faced a potential setback due to the Ministry's stance.

Furthermore, the statement underscores the potential consequences if the original squad, including the aforementioned players, had been approved by the Minister. With Mahesh Theekshana also sidelined due to injury, the risk of fielding a severely depleted 11-member team loomed large for the first game of the tournament.