An amazing feeling, says Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara couldn’t have scripted a better finish to his T20 international career. Having announced that he would retire from T20Is after the World T20, the left-hander produced a match-winning innings (52 n.o., 35b, 6x4, 1x6) to seal Sri Lanka’s maiden triumph in the biennial event.

“It’s amazing,” Sangakkra gushed after picking up the man of the match award. “I can’t explain it. This is the first time I have been a part of a team that has won a World Cup. We had been disappointed four times before. It’s hard to describe exactly what you feel, but you feel humble.

“You realise how difficult it is to get here, how much support you need, not just from your team-mates, but from your family, your fans, the support staff … You can never do anything alone. You may be the best batsman in the world or the best bowler in the world, but you can’t do anything without support. At moments like this you have to look back, reflect and be thankful for that support, because without that you wouldn’t be here.

It’s been an amazing journey. It’s time to walk away, and to walk away like this is even better,” he remarked.

Sangakkara thanked his team for wanting to win the tournament for him and Mahela Jayawardene, who was also playing his last T20I. “It’s wonderful that the side wanted to win it for us. But there are 20 million other people to win for. It’s not just about me or Mahela. It’s about an entire squad, everyone who stands with you and behind you. We get noticed because it’s our last game, but at the end of the day everyone has played a part,” said the elegant let-hander.