Sri Lanka’s injury woes deepen as Pathirana ruled out of T20 World Cup

2026-02-18 - 16:03

Sri Lanka’s Twenty20 World Cup campaign was dealt another blow on Wednesday when Matheesha Pathirana was ruled out of the rest of the tournament due to a muscle strain in his left leg, with Dilshan Madushanka approved as a replacement. Pathirana, 23, collapsed clutching his left leg in his first over in the Group B clash with Australia in Pallekele on Monday. A trusted bowler in the death overs, he limped off and never returned as Sri Lanka registered an eight-wicket victory. This is the second major injury blow Sri Lanka have had to endure after wrist-spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out with a hamstring injury that he picked up in the side’s tournament opener against Ireland. Sri Lanka next play Zimbabwe in Colombo in their final Group B fixture on Thursday before their first Super Eight game against England on Sunday.