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Sri Lanka’s premier bowler, especially in the shortest format, Dushmantha Chameera, has been ruled out of the upcoming Asia Cup 2022, scheduled to begin in United Arab Emirates (UAE) from August 27.
Sri Lanka Cricket informed the development on micro-blogging website Twitter, mentioning that Chameera will miss the multi-team event due to an injury he sustained on his left leg during a practice session.
Notably, on Saturday, Chameera was named in Sri Lanka’s 18-man squad for the Asia Cup despite not completing a full recovery. It was understood that the right-arm quick would be able to regain full match fitness.
The 30-year-old fast bowler has been replaced by Nuwan Thushara, who had been part of the standby list when the squad was announced.
“Asia Cup: Sri Lanka Team Updates @dushmantha05, who was named in the 20-member #AsiaCup2022 squad, will not take part in the Asia Cup, as he has sustained an injury (on his left leg) during practices. SLC Selectors brought in Nuwan Thushara into the 20-man squad. #SLC #lka” tweeted Sri Lanka Cricket.
🚨 Asia Cup: Sri Lanka Team Updates@dushmantha05, who was named in the 20-member #AsiaCup2022 squad, will not take part in the Asia Cup, as he has sustained an injury (on his left leg) during practices.
SLC Selectors brought in Nuwan Thushara into the 20-man squad.
#SLC #lka pic.twitter.com/cQuAjAmwZg— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) August 22, 2022
There is no denial that Chameera’s absence will put more pressure on an inexperienced Sri Lankan seam-bowling attack at the Asia Cup. Their fast-bowling unit, which features the likes of Dilshan Madushanka, Madushan, Asitha Fernando and Matheesha Pathirana – are all uncapped in T20Is. The Islanders have allrounders Chamika Karunaratne and Dasun Shanaka as the other options.
However, their spin attack has much more stability with Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama and Jeffrey Vandersay in the mix. The 2014 Asia Cup winners will start their campaign in the tournament opener against Afghanistan on August 27.
Sri Lanka squad for Asia Cup 2022 (Updated):
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
