No qualms for Mathews over Dilshan-fan row

Sri Lanka cricket captain Angelo Mathews has no misgivings about high-expectant fans casting remarks at his teammates for failing to deliver saying any such confrontation has to be sorted out by the player concerned.

He made the assessment answering a question over Tillekaratne Dilshan taking on a Sri Lankan supporter who wanted the opener to retire after he failed to produce anything substantial for the team in the deciding T20 International against New Zealand in Auckland last Sunday.

“I don’t know what happened there (between Dilshan and fan). But we certainly don’t play to lose. I know that fans are also hurt like players when things go wrong. I cannot say here whether Dilshan was right or wrong (to react)”, said Mathews.

Dilshan, who will turn 40 in October, made scores of 7, 9, 91, 5, 0 and 28 in the four ODIs and two T20s on the concluded tour of New Zealand.

He was jolted when an enraged Sri Lankan fan told him to retire while walking back to the pavilion after losing the final T20 match.“Do you want to take my place”, Dilshan asked the fan who also retorted.

Dilshan retired from Test cricket four years ago.