T20 World Cup 2022: Sri Lanka pacer Dilshan Madhushanka ruled out of the tournament

The eighth edition of the T20 World Cup got underway on October 16 in Australia. Sri Lanka are facing Namibia in the opening game of the tournament. However, the day didn't start on a good note for the team from island nation. Their pace bowler Dilshan Madhushanka has got ruled out of the mega event due to a quadriceps injury which he sustained while training ahead of the tournament.

Madhushanka was seen hobbling away from practice on Saturday (October 15) and was sent to get an MRI scan that confirmed an injury. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is expected to announce a replacement for him shortly. An injury to Madhushanka is a huge blow for Sri Lanka as the pacer had performed extremely well in the Asia Cup that they won.

Morning to all who are waking up in Sri Lanka. Not too good news from Geelong, I’m afraid. Dilshan Madushanka has been ruled out of the World Cup. The left-arm quick has sustained a quadriceps injury. A replacement will be announced shortly.

— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) October 16, 2022

Who can replace Dilshan Madhushanka?

Sri Lanka have travelling reserves with the current squad and it is very much likely that one of them will be selected. Binura Fernando is one pacer while Lahiru Kumara and Pramod Madhushan are already in the squad. Interestingly, the team went with the latter ahead of Kumara for the opening game against Namibia. Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka won the toss and opted to bowl first.

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