Cricket - Asia Cup - Final - Pakistan v Sri Lanka - Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - September 11, 2022 Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva walks after losing his wicket REUTERS/Christopher Pike
(Reuters) - All-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has stepped down as captain of Sri Lanka's Twenty20 team, the country's cricket board said on Thursday, days after the South Asian side made an early exit at the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and United States.
The 26-year-old was appointed in December in place of Dasun Shanaka.
The 2014 T20 World Cup champions were knocked out of this year's tournament after failing to qualify for the Super Eight round.
"Hasaranga said it is in the best interest of Sri Lanka Cricket that he decided to relinquish the captaincy duties and remain in the side as a player," the country's board said in a statement.
Hasaranga will remain an important player for the team.
"Sri Lanka will always have my utmost best efforts as a player, and I will support and stand by my team and leadership as always," Hasaranga said.
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)
