Dushmantha Chameera likely to be ruled out of Asia Cup 2023 with shoulder injury

Sri Lanka will enter the Asia Cup 2023 as the defending champions. Dasun Shanaka's men defeated Pakistan in the final in 2022 to win the coveted tournament, which was played in the T20 format last year. In an unfortunate development, experienced Sri Lankan pacer Dushmantha Chameera is likely to be ruled out of the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup after suffering a shoulder injury during the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

Chameera is among the most experienced pacers in Sri Lankan cricket and can unsettle batters with his speed and bounce. The 31-year-old has played 44 ODIs for the Island nation and picked up 50 wickets at an average of 33.16. He suffered an ankle injury during the warm-up games of the ODI World Cup Qualifiers but returned to play in the LPL. This latest injury will be a major cause of concern with the Asia Cup and the 50-over World Cup on the horizon.

Sri Lanka team manager Mahinda Halangoda told ESPNcricinfo that Chameera is almost certain to miss the impending Asia Cup but the Sri Lanka Cricket board is awaiting further reports to confirm the same.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's talismanic all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga missed the LPL 2023 final owing to a thigh strain. According to his management, the 26-year-old will not be available for Sri Lanka's group matches against Afghanistan and Bangladesh in the Asia Cup. If Sri Lanka make it to the knockouts, Hasaranga's availability will depend on whether he can play without the risk of aggravating the injury.

Hasaranga was in exceptional form during the LPL as the highest run-getter as well as the highest wicket-taker. Sri Lanka do not have a like-for-like replacement for the Galle-born and will have to do well to get past the group stage in the Asia Cup.

Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando test positive for Covid-19

In another setback for Sri Lanka, two of their flamboyant batters Kusal Perera and Avishka Fernando have tested positive for Covid-19. The two players were expected to make it to Sri Lanka's squad for the Asia Cup. They are believed to have contracted with virus during the closing stages of LPL 2023.

The availability of the two players will depend on how quickly they can recover from the virus. It is quite clear that Asian giants are going through a difficult phase ahead of some major tournaments.