Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka have been given an early blow even before the start of their first match at the T20 World Cup 2022. Dasun Shanaka’s side took on Namibia in the tournament opener at the Simonds Stadium, Geelong, on Sunday.
Shanaka won the toss and elected to field first, but also send the unfortunate news that seamer Dilshan Madushanka is injured and will not participate in the first game against Namibia.
Soon after, ESPNcricinfo reported that Dilshan Madushanka is likely to be ruled out of the entire tournament because of a quadriceps tear, denting Sri Lanka’s squad early on.
“Madushanka was seen hobbling away from practice on Saturday and was soon sent to get an MRI scan, which confirmed the injury. He is not expected to recover in time to play any part in the World Cup, and will now likely be replaced in the squad,” an ESPNcricinfo news stated.
This is a significant blow to Sri Lanka Dilshan Madushanka is only 6-T20I old, having made his debut in the Asia Cup, the 22-year-old left-arm seamer played a starring role in the Lankans winning the Asia Cup by picking up 6 wickets in 6 matches while bowling at a good economy of 7.75.
He impressed with his swing with the new ball and also has express pace, qualities which would have proven effective in Australian conditions. Madushanka, who also has variations for death overs, was expected to start in Sri Lanka’s XI in T20 World Cup 2022, but injury has all but ended his tournament.
Right-arm pacer Pramod Madushan got to play against Namibia in the absence of Dilshan Madushanka while senior speedster Lahiru Kumara is on the bench. Binura Fernando is expected to replace Dilshan Madushanka in Sri Lanka’s squad.
Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to bowl first in the first match of the preliminary qualifying round against Namibia.
Teams:
Namibia (Playing XI): Michael van Lingen, Divan la Cock, Stephan Baard, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus(c), Jan Frylinck, JJ Smit, David Wiese, Zane Green(w), Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana
Sri Lanka and Namibia have UAE and the Netherlands in their group.
