All-rounder Lahiru Madushanka was yesterday ruled out of the ICC T20 World Cup after fracturing his collarbone while fielding in the third T20 International against South Africa at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday.
Chairman, Cricket Selection Committee Promodya Wickramasinghe said his replacement will be finalised on Monday after a discussion with the Cricket Management. Meanwhile, wicket-Keeper batsman Kusal Janith Perera who suffered a hamstring injury while batting in the third T20 against South Africa is under medical observation.
Perera underwent an MRI scan on Wednesday, which suggested that he still could be in contention to play in the T20 World Cup.
The 31-year old, played only two matches in the South Africa series having returned from a shoulder injury and COVID-19. He top scored for Sri Lanka in the final game with a 33-ball 39 at the top of the order.
Sri Lanka, who was the last team to announce their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, can make any changes to their squad until October 10.
Wicket-keeper batsman Minod Bhanuka, who was not named among the four travelling reserves, is the likely candidate to come into the squad as a direct replacement for Madushanka and as a cover for Perera.
Adding Bhanuka will provide more batting options for Sri Lanka as well as a wicket-keeping resource. Sri Lanka on Sunday announced their 15-member squad with four reserve players for the T20 World Cup.
Dasun Shanaka will lead the side as Sri Lanka begins their campaign on October 18 against Namibia in Abu Dhabi, UAE in a Group ‘A’ fixture.
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