Sri Lanka and Pakistan are currently locking horns with each other in the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka. The visitors have taken a 1-0 lead in the series after they thumped the hosts by 4 wickets in Galle, chasing a target of 342. 

The second match between the teams is now slated to take place on Sunday (24th July) at the same venue. However, with just a few days remaining before the start of the match, both teams have suffered a major blow each. 

While Sri Lanka will be without the services of Maheesh Theekshana, Pakistan will play the match without their ace pacer Shaheen Afridi. Both the players have suffered injuries and are ruled out of the Test series. 

Read Also: Ravindra Jadeja doubtful starter for West Indies ODIs due to injury issues- Report

Theekshana has sustained a finger injury and in his place, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has named uncapped all-rounder Lakshitha Manasinghe as his replacement. Whereas Afridi suffered a knee injury but will stay with the team in Sri Lanka to rehabilitate. 

Both Theekshana and Afridi played a pivotal for their side in the first match. While the pacer took 4 wickets in the game, the spinner bagged 2 wickets. 

(AFP/AP inputs)