Matheesha Pathirana ruled out for remainder of ICC Men's T20 World Cup

Sri Lanka's nightmare has come to life as their premier speedster Matheesha Pathirana has been ruled out for the remainder of the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Pathirana could only send down four deliveries in the game against Australia before leaving the field after he was seen clutching his left leg. Scans have confirmed a calf strain, and therefore, he'll be out of action for several weeks.

"The right-armer has been replaced by Dilshan Madushanka, with the ICC's Event Technical Committee approving the player replacement on Wednesday," the ICC said in a media release.

Left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka has been confirmed as his replacement. He has 15 wickets in as many T20Is and last played for Sri Lanka in the shortest format on July 27, 2024, against India. Madushanka joins the Sri Lankan squad on the eve of their final group-stage fixture against Zimbabwe. Both teams have already cemented their spots in the Super Eight stage of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Pathirana has been remarkable for Sri Lanka in his short T20I career. He has already claimed 40 wickets in 28 T20Is at an economy rate of 8.42 and an average of 18.30, including two four-wicket hauls.

Sri Lanka's Super Eight fixtures

Having already qualified for the Super Eight stage of the signature ICC event, Sri Lanka may try out their bench strength against the Chevrons on Thursday at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

The Lankan Lions are a part of Group 2 in the Super Eight stage and will take on England in their Super Eight opener at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, February 22. The co-hosts will then square off against New Zealand at the R Premadasa on February 25 and will cross swords against Pakistan in their final fixture in Pallekele on February 28.

Sri Lanka's updated T20 World Cup squad:

Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Janith Liyanage, Pramod Madushan, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka

Support Staff:

Sanath Jayasuriya, Vikram Rathour, Lasith Malinga, Rene Ferdinands, Ramakrishnan Sridhar