Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana suffered a left calf strain during the recent ICC T20 World Cup 2026 match against Australia. The right-handed pacer, who is Sri Lanka’s main death-over option, will miss the rest of the tournament, and his absence is a major blow to their bowling plans in the Super 8 stage.
Matheesha Pathirana picked up the injury on Monday, February 16, in Pallekele. He bowled only four deliveries before leaving the field. After his fourth ball, Pathirana went down straight away, clutching his hamstring. The Sri Lankan physio checked on him, and he later walked off the field without continuing to bowl.
Matheesha Pathirana Ruled Out of Remainder of ICC T20 World Cup 2026
According to Newswire.lk, Matheesha Pathirana has been ruled out of the rest of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 due to a left calf strain.
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Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka is seen as the frontrunner to replace Pathirana. Binura Fernando and Nuwan Thushara are also under consideration, while all-rounder Milan Rathnayake offers an alternative with both seam bowling and lower-order batting depth.
“Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has been ruled out of the remainder of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a left calf strain, although an official announcement is yet to be made by Sri Lanka Cricket. His injury has forced selectors to reassess their options ahead of the Super Eight stage,” the report read.
Sri Lanka Consider Bringing Wanindu Hasaranga Back Into T20 World Cup Squad
The report added that Sri Lanka are considering bringing Wanindu Hasaranga back into the squad later in the tournament. He has not fully recovered from his hamstring injury, but the team is discussing whether he could return if his fitness improves in time.
“Sri Lanka are also exploring the possibility of reintroducing Wanindu Hasaranga into the squad. Although he has not fully recovered from his hamstring injury, discussions are ongoing on whether he could regain fitness later in the tournament,” the report added.
With their final group match having little impact on qualification, Sri Lanka have the flexibility to wait. They want to assess Hasaranga’s recovery and keep their replacement options open before the Super 8 stage.
Wanindu Hasaranga Ruled Out of T20 World Cup 2026 After Hamstring Injury
Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2026 after suffering a left hamstring injury in Sri Lanka’s opening match against Ireland in Colombo. The 28-year-old played a key role in that game, which Sri Lanka won by 20 runs, before an MRI scan confirmed the injury.
Hasaranga remains Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler in the T20 format. He has taken 40 wickets in T20 World Cups at an economy rate of 6.01.
Sri Lanka began their campaign with a 20-run win over Ireland at the R. Premadasa Stadium. They then secured a 105-run win over Oman, followed by an eight-wicket victory against Australia, which sealed their place in the Super 8 stage.
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