Sri Lanka pacer ruled out of CWC23 qualifiers due to injury: After Dushamantha Chameera was ruled out of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, another Sri Lankan pacer has been ruled out of the tournament.
Sri Lanka suffered another blow as Lahiru Kumara was ruled out of the tournament due to a side strain during the Netherlands match. Uncapped Sahan Arachige has been named as Kumara’s replacement.
Arachige was one of three stand-by players flown to Zimbabwe to cover for injuries after the qualifiers began, along with Dilshan Madushanka and Dunith Velalej. The 27-year-old is a left-handed top-order batsman and occasional right-arm off-break bowler.
Having spent over eight years in the domestic circuit, Arachige has scored 1454 runs in 66 List-A games at an average of 29.67, while also taking 38 wickets.
Sri Lanka’s pace attack is currently suffering from a lack of experience as two of their most experienced fast bowlers – Kumara and Chameera – have been ruled out within days. Chameera was initially included in the squad but did not feature in any of the qualifier games. The 31-year-old failed to recover from a shoulder injury and had to return home for rehabilitation.
Kumara’s latest injury could open doors of opportunity for Mathisha Pathirana. The promising fast bowler has played just one ODI in his early cricket career but is coming off an incredible season with the title-winning Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.
If Sri Lanka opts to prioritize experience for the remaining matches of the tournament, they have the choice between Kasun Rajitha and Chamika Karunaratne.
The recent series of injuries is not expected to significantly impact Sri Lanka’s prospects in the Qualifier. The team currently enjoys a comfortable position at the summit of the Super Six table following their narrow victory against Netherlands, placing them in a strong position to secure a spot in the upcoming Cricket World Cup in India later this year.
Sri Lanka Updated squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc & wk), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Sahan Arachchige, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dushan Hemantha, Dilshan Madushanka.
CWC Qualifiers Standings
SUPER SIX
|
POS |
TEAM |
PLAYED |
WON |
LOST |
N/R |
TIED |
NET RR |
POINTS |
|
1 |
Sri Lanka |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
+1.832 |
6 |
|
2 |
Zimbabwe |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
+0.752 |
6 |
|
3 |
Scotland |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
+0.188 |
4 |
|
4 |
Netherlands |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
-0.560 |
2 |
|
5 |
West Indies |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
-0.510 |
0 |
|
6 |
Oman |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
-2.139 |
0 |
GROUP A
|
POS |
TEAM |
PLAYED |
WON |
LOST |
N/R |
TIED |
NET RR |
POINTS |
|
1 |
Zimbabwe |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
+2.241 |
8 |
|
2 |
Netherlands |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
+0.669 |
6 |
|
3 |
West Indies |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
+0.525 |
4 |
|
4 |
Nepal |
4 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
-1.171 |
2 |
|
5 |
USA |
4 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
-2.164 |
0 |
GROUP B
|
POS |
TEAM |
PLAYED |
WON |
LOST |
N/R |
TIED |
NET RR |
POINTS |
|
1 |
Sri Lanka |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
+3.047 |
8 |
|
2 |
Scotland |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
+0.540 |
6 |
|
3 |
Oman |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
-1.221 |
4 |
|
4 |
Ireland |
4 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
-0.061 |
2 |
|
5 |
United Arab Emirates |
4 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
-2.249 |
0 |