Ahead of the AFG vs SL clash on October 30, Sri Lanka has lost yet another player to injury. This time, it is their speedster Lahiru Kumara who leaves their 15-man squad. Kumara, who ripped through England’s middle order of skipper Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, and Liam Livingstone, will be a massive loss for Sri Lanka’s World Cup 2023 campaign.
While training ahead of the match at the MCA Stadium in Pune, Kumara hurt his left thigh and is now being replaced by another speedster, Dushmantha Chameera.
Chameera was included in the squad after the Event Technical Committee granted their approval on October 29.
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Lahiru Kumara is the third player who has fallen to injury mid-tournament for Sri Lanka. Before Kumara, their skipper Dasun Shanaka suffered a quad injury and was replaced by all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne. They also lost their x-factor pacer Matheesha Pathirana to a shoulder injury and added veteran player Angelo Mathews to their squad.
Dushmantha Chameera is massively experienced, having played over 100 matches for the side, he is coming back from an injury to replace in-form Kumara is not a great sign for the Lankans.
One could add Wanindu Hasaranga to the list as well, as their ace leg-spinner all-rounder was ruled out of the Asia Cup and then the World Cup after he sustained an injury during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in August.
Sri Lanka squad: Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne.