Sri Lanka’s preparations for the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup have been marred by a series of injury setbacks. The defending champions find themselves grappling with a growing list of injured players, further complicating their campaign in the tournament.
The Injury
Pacer Dilshan Madushanka is the latest casualty, ruled out of the Asia Cup due to a torn oblique muscle sustained during a practice game. Additionally, fellow pacer Lahiru Kumara’s participation is in doubt as he grapples with a side strain. Notably, Dushmantha Chameera is also ruled out of the competition due to injury. Furthermore, leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who was a standout performer in the recently concluded Lanka Premier League, is suffering from a grade two strain and faces uncertainty regarding his recovery timeline.
The absence of Madushanka, Kumara, and Chameera, who have played pivotal roles in Sri Lanka’s ODI World Cup qualifiers, poses a significant challenge for the team. The trio’s contributions have been vital to the national team’s success, making their absence a cause for concern.
In their absence, Sri Lanka is likely to rely on the likes of Kasun Rajitha, Pramod Madushan, and Matheesha Pathirana to fill the void. These players have demonstrated promising performances in international cricket recently, offering a glimmer of hope amid the injury crisis.
Pathirana’s experience gained from his stint with the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL has translated into improved performances in international cricket. Similarly, Rajitha’s 24-match experience has yielded 31 wickets with an economy rate of 5.91.
The selectors face a daunting task in forming a competitive squad for the Asia Cup. With their opening game against Bangladesh scheduled for August 31 in Pakistan, Sri Lanka aims to make a strong start in the tournament and secure a spot in the Super Four stage.
As the injury woes continue to challenge Sri Lanka’s campaign, cricket fans will be watching closely to see how the team navigates these obstacles in their pursuit of success in the Asia Cup.
**[Source](https://www.crictracker.com/asia-cup-2023-sri-lankas-woes-deepen-as-dilshan-madushanka-and-lahiru-kumara-join-long-injury-list/)**
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