Since the last T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka have won series in England and South Africa, cruised through the World Cup Qualifiers in Abu Dhabi undefeated, and beaten Pakistan and India on their way to becoming Asia Cup champions. But Sri Lanka lost to both those oppositions and defending champions Australia in the first week of the tournament, which Ratnayake put down to overall underperformance.

"It was bad playing through and through this tournament," he said after Sri Lanka lost to India by 82 runs. "They've been doing poor cricket, and that is not acceptable. We've been talking about it, we've tried to come out of it and we've tried various things, we've been fearlessly doing things, freely doing things, and I think the skill has failed us when it has been really important."

"From the second match up to the fifth match [in Ireland], there were situations where we were on top and we faltered," Ratnayake said.

One such situation was in the second T20I, where Sri Lanka were 101 for 2 in the 13th over but then lost 5 for 56 in five overs to lose by seven runs. Still, Ratnayake was happy with the work they did back in Sri Lanka.

"Our preparation was really good back home," he said. "We played on various types of wickets. We simulated some of those similar situations, but winning those moments, winning those appropriate situations, decision-making along with the skill hasn't been backed up. The skill did not come through as it did as you said in the finals of the Asia Cup. So that's something which we need to work on, rethink and come back."

"In the past 22 months, we've worked hard on creating an environment which is conducive for learning," he said. "So we are not only building up in confidence but building up in confidence so that we would back ourselves with the skill as well."

But has that confidence spilled over into overconfidence, given Sri Lanka's fighting talk before the series? Athapaththu spoke realistically of their chances of making the semi-finals at this tournament despite being in the tougher of the two groups, and Ratnayake backed that up when he said Sri Lanka "are here to win the World Cup," and not just participate.

"Overconfidence is a thing which is verbally not accepted in our environment, so I don't think it's overconfidence, but they are confident enough," he said. "That is what we thrive on and that is what we emphasise on. It's just that when needed, we haven't won the moments."

Now, they also have no hope of winning the World Cup but Ratnayake continues to believe in the group of players he is working with. "This has happened and we will never give up, so that's a very heartening and a very satisfying thing for a coach to see," he said. "As much as I've created an environment, I'm quite privileged and honoured to be here because they are a super lot. I know we will come through this sooner rather than later."

Sri Lanka have two days before their final match, against New Zealand on Saturday, and Ratnayake has described it as a "prime objective" to "salvage ourselves" and win that game. They will be up against a New Zealand side who will feel the same way, after their chastening defeat to Australia, and with the match a must-win to keep their semi-final hopes alive. For Ratnayake, nothing less than an almighty fight will be acceptable.