Sri Lanka suffered a major blow a week before the start of the Asia Cup 2022 in the UAE, as their premier pacer Dushmantha Chameera was ruled out of the T20 event due to a calf strain.
As reported by ESPNCricinfo and later confirmed by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC), Chameera sustained an injury on his left leg during team practice "three-or-four days ago" and will not recover in time for the Asia Cup 2022. As a result, the pacer is now out of the upcoming Asia Cup 2022, starting on August 27.
However, he is expected to be fit in time for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022, to be played in Australia in October-November, for which the deadline to submit the final squad is September 16.
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Meanwhile, the SLC Selectors brought Nuwan Thushara into the Asia Cup squad as a replacement for Chameera.
Well, Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling contingent now has Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan, Asitha Fernando, and Matheesha Pathirana – all uncapped in T20Is.
However, with Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, and Jeffrey Vandersay in the mix, their spin attack looks good for the tournament.
Notably, Sri Lanka is placed in Group B in the Asia Cup 202, where their campaign will begin on August 27 against Afghanistan in Dubai.
Sri Lanka squad for Asia Cup 2022:
Dasun Shanaka (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Ashen Bandara, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwanidu Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Dinesh Chandimal
