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T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka's injury woes deepen as Pathirana ruled out ahead of Super 8s
Australia v Sri Lanka:  ICC Men's T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026
KANDY, SRI LANKA - FEBRUARY 16: Matheesha Pathirana of Sri Lanka walks off after receiving medical treatment during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Pallekele Cricket Stadium on February 16, 2026 in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

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.