Sri Lankan fast bowler Dilshan Madhushanka ruled out of the Asia Cup after torning an oblique muscle

Madhushanka is the second Sri Lankan player to be out injured after Dushmantha Chameera while pacer Lahiru Kumara is also doubtful for the tournament

Sri Lanka has been dealt with a major blow once again just days before the start of the Asia Cup as Sri Lankan fast bowler Dilshan Madhushanka has been ruled out of the multi-nation tournament after torning an oblique muscle during a practice game. Sri Lanka is already without the services of a fast bowler and leader of the bowling lineup Dushmanta Chameera who has also been ruled out of the tournament while Lahiru Kumara is also doubtful for the tournament after suffering a side strain. Madhushanka is currently under rehabilitation and it is safe to say that the fast bowler has been ruled out of at least Sri Lanka’s first game of the tournament against Bangladesh on August 31. Sri Lanka is currently quite light in its bowling department with all its first-choice bowlers which includes the likes of all-rounder Wahnindu Hasaranga nursing injuries. The onus will now be on inexperienced fast bowlers Kasun Rajitha Pramod Madhushan and Matheesha Pathirana all of whom do not have much experience in this format of the game. Kasun Rajitha is the most experienced of the three having played 24 matches.

The Spin Department

Talking about Sri Lanka’s spin department the Lankan lions will depend on Maheesh Theekshana who is most likely to be assisted by all-rounder Dunith Wellalage who has given decent performances at the international level in the limited opportunities he has got so far. His most memorable performance came in Sri Lanka’s 3-2 ODI series win against Australia last year the all-rounder contributed with both bat and ball in the series. One of his biggest strengths which makes him the perfect replacement for Hasaranga is his ability to play big shots lower down the order.

The Dark Horse

If we analyze closely there is no doubt that Sri Lanka is going in the Asia Cup with an inexperienced side but one should not forget that the Island nation was in a similar situation in the previous edition of the tournament where they defied all odds and went on to win the title